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"<'. aX 



General Meade's Life and Public Servifps. 



THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES 



OF 



MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 



f^ i 




HERO OF GETTYSBURG! AND COMMANDER 
OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 



With a full History of his Life, and Services to his country in all 
the various positions he has filled, from the time he first entered the 
United States Army, in 1835, until the present day, with his Official 
Reports to the War Department, Speeches, Orders, etc., etc. 



T. ] 



P I) 1 1 a b c I p I) i a : 

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PRICE 25 CENTS. 



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GENERAL MEADE'S LIFE.-THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF 
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<^eif 



V- 



LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES 



OP 



MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 

(GEORGE GORDON MEADE.) 



THE 



HEEO OF GETTTSBUEG; 



AND 



COMMANDER OF TPIE ARMY OF THE. POTOMAC, 



"With a full History of his Life, and Services to his country in 
all the various positions he has filled, from the time he first 
entered the United States Army, in 1835, until the present day, 
•with his Official Reports to the War Department, Speeclj§s, etc. 




PHILADELPHIA: 

T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS, 
306 CHESTNUT STREET. 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1864, by 

T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the 

Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 



CONTENTS 



PAOR 

General Meado's birth and parentage 21 

His early education — He enters West Point 22 

Resigns the army and becomes a Civil Engineer — He re-enters the 

army — His career in Mexico 23 

Is ordered to Florida — Fort Meade 24 

Returns to Light-House duty — Surveys the Northwestern Lakes — 
Is appointed Brigadier-General, and ordered to the Pennsyl- 
vania Reserves 25 

His services with McDowell and on the Peninsula 26 

His services in the Battles of Mechanicsville and Gaines's Mill 27 

The Battle of New Market Cross Roads, or Glendale — Gen. Meade 

badly wounded — Full description of the fight 2S 

Rejoins his Brigade — His services under General Pope SI 

Takes command of the Reserves — The Battle of South Mountain 32 

Tuesday's tight at Antietam Creek — The Battle of Antietam — 

Meade and his Reserves ."t 

Is appointed Major-General of Volunteers — The Battle of Fred- 
ericksburg — General Meade's Official Report of it 36 

Is appointed to the command of the Fifth Corps — His farewell to the 

Reserves 42 

The Battle of Chancellorsville 43 

The Maryland Campaign — General Meade appointed Commander- 
in-Chief of the Army of the Potomac — His Address and Or- 
ders to the army 44 

The Battle of Gettysburg, with General Meade's Official Report of it 48 
General Meade's Head-quarters under fire, with a full description of 

the same 54 

The rejoicings at the victory .». 56 

The circumstances under which the Battle of Gettysburg was 

fought 57 

Who planned the Battle — General Meade's congratulatory address 

to his army 58 

The fall of Vicksburg announced to his troops — An Englishman's 

opinion of General Meade 59 

(19) 



2Q ONTENTS 

PAliE 

The pursuit of the enemy— The fight at Falling Waters— Why Gen- 
eral Meade allowed Lee to escape across the Potomac 60 

General Meade presented by the Pennsylvania Keaerves with a hand- 
some testimonial 63 

General Crawford's Presentation Speech — Speech of Major-General 

Meade • 64 

Bemarks of Governor Curtin^ of Pennsylvania — Subsequent Move- 
ments of the Contending Forces — The fight atBristoe 68 

Brilliant Engagements on the Rappahannock 70 

General Meade's Congratulatory Order 71 

General Meade's Address to the Sixth Corps 72 

Locust Grove and Mine Run — General Meade's responsible position.. 73 
General Meade in Philadelphia — A Serenade — He addresses the 

Convalescent Soldiers and the Union League 74 

A Second Serenade 75 

General Meade and the Philadelphia Councils 76 

General Meade is thanked by Congress — His Public Reception iu 
Philadelphia — Enthusiastic Demonstration — Mayor Henry's 

Speech 77 

Reply of GeneralMeade 78 

Is appointed Brigadier-General in the regular army 79 



LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES 



OF 



MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 



HIS BIRTH AND PARENTAGE. 

Pew commanders of the Union army have, during the 
progress of the rebellion, been brought more prominently 
before the country, or have labored more zealously and 
heroically in the great cause for which the freemen of the 
North and West are contending, than General George 
Gordon Meade, a citizen, of whom Pennsylvania is justly 
proud, and a patriot, whose worth the country acknow- 
ledges and admires. His parents, Richard Worsam Meade 
and Margaret Butler Meade, were at the time of his birth 
temporary sojourners in Cadiz, Spain. The father, who 
was born in ItYS, and who had been a successful merchant 
in Philadelphia, crossed the Atlantic in the early part of 
the year eighteen hundred, and for several years held the 
responsible positions of Consul and Navy Agent at Cadiz. 
The mother of George Meade was a native of Chester 
county, Pennsylvania, and was descended from an aristo- 
cratic family of the South of Ireland, a branch of the race 
of the Marquises (and former Dukes) of Ormonde, who 
derived their name from their office of Hereditary Lord 
High Butlers of Ireland, one of the seven chief officers of 
the monareh in feudal times. 

(21) 



22 LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 

Mr. Richard W. Meade had been engaged in numerous 
mercantile transactions with the Spanish Government, and 
by his probity had secured the confidence of that power 
to an extent which admirably fitted him for the offices to 
which he was selected by the President of the United 
States, and it was mainly by his influence and exertions 
that the Territory of Florida was acquired, an extended 
area which at the time included an important portion of 
Southern Alabama. Indeed, so highly was he appreciated 
by King Ferdinand, that that monarch withheld for nearly 
two years his assent to the ratification of the treaty, in- 
sisting that a clause should be inserted in the document, 
acknowledging the services of Mr. Meade in securing the 
settlement of the mutual claims of the two Governments 
for spoliations on commerce, and other difficulties growing 
out of the embarrassed foreign relations of Spain, during 
the period when Great Britain and France made that 
country a field of carnage. 

HIS EARLY EDUCATIOK"— HB ENTERS WEST 
POINT. 

On the thirty-first of December, 1815, the subject of 
our sketch was born, and when an infant was brought by 
his parents to Philadelphia. At an early age he was sent 
lo a school in Georgetown, District of Columbia, where 
he remained for some time under the preceptorial care of 
Mr. Salmon P. Chase, now the Honorable Secretary of 
the Treasury, but who then was known only as a worthy 
teacher of considerable ability and talent. From Mr. 
Chase's school he was transferred to a Military Academy 
at Mount Airy, near Philadelphia, and in September, 
1831, had his name inscribed upon the roll at West Point 
as a cadet. On the first of July, 1835, having graduated 
on the previous day, in a class which numbered among 
its members, Xaglee, Morell, Martindale, Haupt, Roberts 



LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 23 

and others, who have since acquired distinction as Gen- 
erals, he entered the army as Brevet Second Lieutenant 
of the Third Artillery, and was immediately ordered to 
Florida. During his campaign in that State, he performed 
valuable service, and was only saved from being a victim 
in the horrible " Dade Massacre" by an attack of illness, 
which prevented his serving with his regiment at the 
time. 

EESIGNS THE ARMY AND BECOMES A CIVIL 
ENGINEER. 

He became a full Second Lieutenant on the ]Ast day of 
December of the same year, and in the latter part of Oc- 
tober, 1836, resigned his connection with the service, and 
becoming a Civil Engineer, was employed on various pri- 
vate and Government surveys, the principal one on whieh 
his abilities were called into requisition, being the survey 
of the Northeastern Boundary Line, then under the charge 
of Colonel Jatnes D. Graham, of the Topographical En- 
gineers. 

RE-ENTERS THE ARMY— HIS CAREER IN 
MEXICO. 

On the nineteenth day of May, 1842, he was re-appointed 
in the army as Second Lieutenant of the Topographical 
Engineers. Soon after the commencement of hostilities 
between the United States and Mexico, Lieutenant Meade 
received orders to proceed to the seat of war, and during 
that campaign gave the first evidence of those superior 
military traits and qualifications which have since made 
him so renowned. As a member, at different periods, of 
the staff of Generals Taylor, Patterson and Worth, his 
usefulness was found invaluable, while in every engage- 
ment in which he participated — Palo Alto, Ptesaca de la 
Palma, Monterey and Saltillo — his conduct was marked 
by a degree of bravery which made him the recipient of 



24 LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 

commendations from his commanding officers. At Palo 
Alto he particularly distinguished himself, and for gallantry 
during the memorable siege of Monterey was brevetted a 
First Lieutenant. During the siege of Vera Cruz he also 
rendered valuable service, having, as the Topographical 
Engineer on the staff of Major-General Patterson, made, 
several important reconnoissances, and also selected the 
site for the Naval battery. After the siege had success- 
fully terminated. Lieutenant Meade returned to the United 
States, strongly recommended for promotion. His valor 
was appreciated by the people of the Union, as well as by 
his superior officers and military associates, and after his 
arrival in Philadelphia he was presented with a costly 
sword, as a slight token of the estimation in which he was 
held by his fellow-citizens. 

IS AGAIN OHDERED TO FLORIDA— FORT 
MEADE. 

After the declaration of peace he was actively employed 
on River and Harbor improvements, and in the construc- 
tion of light houses, principally in Delaware Bay, but 
upon hostilities being again threatened in Florida, he re- 
linquished these peaceable pursuits and again took the 
field with his old commander, General Zachary Taylor. 

He remained in Florida about six months, and among 
other incidents related of him during that campaign, is the 
following : — Qeneral Twiggs, desirous of selecting an ad- 
vantageous site for a fort on the w^estern coast of the 
State, consulted Lieutenant Meade in the matter, but sub- 
sequently discarded his recommendations and accepted 
those of a civilian. Subsequent events convinced him of 
his error, and not only did he construct a fortification on 
Pease Creek, south of Tampa Bay, in accordance with the 
suggestion of the young officer, but as an additional evi- 
dence of his confidence in his adviser, ordered it to be desig- 
patod Fort Meade, a title it bears to the present day 



LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 25 

RETUBNS TO LIGHT HOUSE DUTY— SURVEYS 
THE NORTHWESTERN LAKES. 

The war ended, he again returned to the responsible 
duty of superintending the erection of light houses, not 
only in Delaware Bay, of which District he had been 
placed in charge, but also off the coast of the State in 
which but a short time before he had wielded the sword. 
In August, 1851, he became a First Lieutenant, and on 
the nineteenth of May, 1856, a Captain. 

In the latter year he was ordered to Detroit, Michigan, 
to assist in prosecuting the National Survey of the Great 
Western and Northwestern Lakes, of which important 
work he soon after was selected to take charge. Under 
his practised eye and able supervision, the work progressed 
rapidly and satisfactorily, and the various charts of the 
Lake district and reports of the surveys, bear flattering 
testimony to the admirable manner in which the duty was 
performed. His services were acknowledged and received 
their meed of praise at Washington, while his many noble 
and gentlemanly qualities won for him the esteem of the 
people of Detroit, and indeed of every city and town on 
the Northern border, where, in the prosecution of his offi- 
cial labors, he was a transient visitor. 

IS APPOINTED BRIGADIER-GENERAL AND OR- 
DERED TO THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. 

When the rebellion broke out, Captain Meade was still 
at Detroit, but was immediately ordered to report at 
Washington, and on the thirty-first of August, 1861, he 
received the appointment of Brigadier-General of Volun- 
teers, and was assigned to the command of the Second 
Brigade of that noble organization, the Pennsylvania Re- 
serve Corps, which with prudent foresight had been raised 
in the Keystone State, and placed under the command of 
General McCall. 



26 LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 



HIS SERVICES WITH MeDOWELL AND ON 
THE PENINSULA. 

He assumed the command on the 13th of September, 
1861, at Tenallj^own, near Georgetown, District of Colum- 
bia, and during the following winter remained at that 
place, superintending the drilling of his men and prepa- 
ring them for the arduous labors, which in the future they 
would be called upon to accomplish. When the order to 
advance to Manassas was given to the Army of the Poto- 
mac, in the spring of 1862, the Reserves took up their 
line of march as one of the three Divisions of the First 
Corps, then under the command of General McDowell, 
and with that officer they remained until after the Battle 
of Hanover Conrt-House, when they were ordered to join 
General McClellan on the Peninsula, and upon their ar- 
rival were constituted a part of the Fifth Corps, on the 
right wing, with head-quarters in the vicinity of Mechan- 
icsville. During their connection with General McDowell, 
the Second Brigade made one or more reconnoissances, 
the most important of which was one made in December, 
under the leadership of General Meade, from their en- 
campment in Fairfax county to a point near Drainesville, 
daring which they secured a large amount of supplies. 
Later in the same month, while the' Battle of Drainesville 
was progressing, the Second Brigade was ordered to sup- 
port General Ord's Brigade, which was engaging the 
enemy, but although General Meade promptly brought 
forward his command, their services were made unneces- 
sary by the rout of the enemy. 

On the nineteenth of June, 1862, the distinguished sub- 
ject of our sketch was promoted to the rank of a Major 
in the regular army. 

During his campaign on the Peninsula, he acquired 
additional celebrity for bravery and gallantry, and in tho 



LIFE OF MAJOR-OEXERAL MEADE. 27 

various engagements in which his Brigade participated, 
by his courage and heroism stimulated his followers to the 
accomplishment of deeds which have reflected credit and 
renown upon his command, and honor upon the Common- 
wealth, of which they were such faithful and chivalrous 
representatives. 

HIS SERVICES IN THE BATTLES OP MECHAN- 
ICSVILLE AND GAINES'S MILLS. 

On the 26th of June, 1862, was fought the Battle of 
Mechanicsville, the first of the series of engagements 
known as the "Seven Days' Contests." General McCall 
held the Second Brigade in reserve in front of Gaines's 
Farm, ready to act either in support of the First and 
Third Brigades, or to oppose the crossing at New Bridge, 
should it be attempted. About noon the enemy was dis- 
covered advancing, and in a short time the pickets of the 
Eeserves were driven in, and not long afterwards the head 
of the column appeared in front of Mechanicsville. 
Meade's Brigade had in the meantime been ordered to 
occupy a position in the rear of the line, where it would 
be out of musketry range, and yet within supporting dis- 
tance. During the engagement that followed, the men of 
the Second fought valiantly, while their commander's noble 
conduct was particularly noticed. At an early hour of the 
twenty-seventh. General McCall was ordered to withdraw 
his Division and fall back to the rear of Gaines's Mills. 
Meade's Brigade was the first withdrawn, and while the 
men were retiring, the enemy opened a fire which was 
promptly returned. The Brigade, however, retired in 
excellent order, and for his action during the day. General 
Meade received the thanks of his commanding officer. 

On the following day, General Meade's services were 
again called into requisition. The Division had arrived 
in the rear of Gaines's Mills at ten o'clock in the morning, 



28 LIFE OF MAJOK-GENKRAL MEADE. 

and soon after the battle commenced in the afternoon, the 
Second and Third Brigades were ordered to support our 
first line, a command which was obeyed with such alacrity 
as to receive the praise of the Commanding General. These 
two Brigades were soon engaged, as was also the remain- 
ing Brigade, and for three hours the gallant Reserves 
contended manfully against the army of determined trai- 
tors. One regiment, the Fourth, was compelled to suc- 
cumb to overpowering numbers, but being rallied by Gen- 
oral Meade, resumed position in line of battle ; and for 
this and other valuable assistance afforded during the hard- 
fought battle, he again received the thanks of General 
McCall, and was nominated for the Brevet of Lieutenant 
Colonel. 

THE BATTLE OF NEW-MAEKET CHOSS-ROADS, 
OR GLENDALE— GENERAL MEADE BADLY 
WOUNDED. 

On the evening of the Battle of Gaines's Mills, the 
Reserves crossed the Chickahominy to Trent's Hill, where 
they remained until the evening of the following day, 
when they moved to the crossing of White Oak creek, 
arriving at noon of the twenty-ninth. Five hours later 
tliey advanced to the Quaker road crossing of the New- 
Market road, and took a poiBition to repel an attack from 
the direction of Richmond. They were subsequently 
ordered to return, and at seven o'clock on the morning of 
the thirtieth, halted at the junction of the New-Market and 
Turkey Bridge roads, where they halted with instructions 
to repel any attack the enemy might make upon the im- 
mense supply-trains of the army, which were then pass- 
ing towards the James river. General McCall, in placing 
his troops, posted General Meade's Brigade on the right, 
and awaited the approach of the rebels. About half-past 
two P.M., the pickets were driven in, and half an hour 
Ifiter the enemy advanced a regiment on the left centre, 



LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 29 

and one on the right, but both were driven back, the for- 
mer by the Third Regiment, and the latter bj the Seventh, 
both belonging to the Second Brigade. Soon afterwards 
the battle raged with almost unexampled fierceness, the 
enemy not unfrequently advancing to the muzzles of our 
cannon. General Meade's commanding figure was seen 
wherever and whenever the fray was the hottest, and such 
was his coolness that while the shot and shell were falling 
around him, he calmly took a segar from his pocket, and 
lighting it, enjoyed the luxury, while at the same time he 
issued his various orders. 

A correspondent of one of the newspapers of the day 
thus describes the conclusion of the battle : 

*' "We are all anxious, eagerly expectant. Easton's battery, seen 
a few rods above, with the Fourth regiment of Reserves, the 
guns unlimbered, the cannoniers waiting the signal, while the 
captain is anxiously looking for the appearance of the enemy. 
Further below us is a ravine, and sharp eyes think that they can 
see glistening bayonets and the movement of a line of black 
caps. General Meade sends an order to the captain to throw a 
few shells into the ravine. A moment more and the sharp sound 
of artillery breaks upon the ear. This gives meaning to the 
scene, more particularly as we see that hne of shining steel and 
black caps come up from the ravine, and out of the woods, 
moving up the hill slowly, shoulder to shoulder, step keeping 
step, and their hateful colors borne above them. Then they 
seemed to see our front, and they began a flank movement, as 
it were turning on the rim of a wheel, straggling men keeping 
up the line of march, constantly firing. The battery played 
upon them, but it seemed their fire was altogether directed upon 
the horses. The fire became incessant, rapid, and ceaseless ; 
the rebels drew nearer and nearer. That steady line of the 
Pennsylvania Reserves tired volley after volley, until the air 
seemed to be but an echo of reverberating sounds, and the heav- 
ens became black with the smoke. The carnage must have 
been fearful. Gaps appeared in the advancing rebel line, only 
to be filled up by new men ; and the line steadily marched over 
ridges of the dead and dying. Sixty rounds were fired, and the 
regiment retired to obtain ammunition, while another regiment 
took its place. The rebels still came nearer, shots grew 
more and more frequent, men became wild with excitement, 
ofiBcers shouted, the wounded were hastily carried away — 
all this time ruunin^: to and fro and all this in less time than 



30 LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 

I have taken to write this line. Still the long line came 
nearer, so near that I am confident that, if I should meet with 
some of the faces I saw that day in gray uniform, my memory is 
distinct enough to enable me to recognize them. No time must 
be lost. General Meade rode up, saying, ' Men, you have done 
nobly; you have covered yourselves with glory. You could 
not have pleased me better.' He asked Colonel Sickels whether 
his regiment might not be relieved — whether his men were not 
badly cut up. The colonel replied, 'AVell, the boys are good 
enough for another turn yet.' The general then asked the 
colonel if he could not give them a bayonet charge. ' I think 
we can,' said the colonel, ' although we are very tired ;' and in 
a moment more the order was given, ' Charge !' I can think 
of nothing to describe this scene. Like a flash of lightning — 
the twinkling of an eye — it was but a moment — and all was 
over. Along the slope they ran, the men shouting. Pres- 
ently the steel grappled, A sharp tussle, a ringing, dull, and 
heavy sound — it sounded strangely in the lull of the musketry — 
a few more groans of the wounded and dying, and the shout of 
triumph broke exultingly upon the ear. The enemy could not 
stand the strong arms of the Union soldiers, and they fell back 
in dismay, our men rapidly pursuing them. This was, by all 
odds, one of the most exciting, briefly contested episodes of the 
battle ; and the gallantry and coolness exhibited by those en- 
gaged in it deserves loftier praise than I could bestow. 

" We had accomplished our mission. We had held the rebels 
at bay, and prevented them from throwing their force upon 
McClellau's exposed column." 

Throughout this sanguinary struggle, the Reserves dis- 
played their usual valor, and gained additional and un- 
fading laurels. No more convincing proof could be elicited, 
or more honorable mention made of the important service 
rendered by the Division, than the following- extract from 
a despatch from General Meade to General McClellan : — 
*' It was only the stubborn resistance," says the General, 
"offered by our Division (the Pennsylvania Reserves), 
prolonging the contest till after dark, and checking till that 
time the advance of the enemy, that enabled the concen- 
tration during the night of the whole army on James 
river, which saved it." The enemy fought with unusual 
desperation, but could not withstand the determined 
charges of our heroes. All fought well, but none in the 
Union ranks performed their duty more creditably than 



LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 31 

the men of the Second Brigade. The losses of the Divi- 
sion were appalling, and among those who were compelled 
to leave the field towards the close of the fight, wounded, 
was General Meade, who, while leading his column, re- 
ceived two balls, one entering his arm, and the other pene- 
trating just above the hip-bone, and passing round the 
body, made its exit just before reaching the spine. Not- 
withstanding the severity of the wounds, he rode for some 
distance to a temporary hospital, where, alighting, he re- 
ceived medical attention, and was then placed in an am- 
bulance and carried to the James river, from whence he 
was removed to his home in Philadelphia, where he ar- 
rived on the morning of the fourth of July. At first his 
injuries were supposed to be mortal, but God designed the 
able commander for even more exalted honors than he had 
achieved in his past brilliant career, and in less than six 
weeks he had sufficiently recovered to again bid farewell 
to the loving relations who had surrounded his couch, 
night and day, during his hours of suffering. 

L- EEJOINS HIS BRIGADE— HIS SERVICES 
UNDER GENERAL POPE. 

Proceeding to Harrison's Landing, he rejoined the army 
on the 13th of August, 1862, and when a few days later 
that army evacuated the Peninsula to join General Pope, 
the Pennsylvania Reserve Cojps accompanied it. Having 
arrived at Fredericksburg, the Division was ordered on 
the twenty-first of August to proceed to Kelly's Pord, on 
the Rappahannock, and from thence to join the Army of 
Yirginia, then on its march to Warrenton from Rappa- 
hannock Station. Reaching Warrenton, it was assigned 
temporarily to General McDowell's Army Corps, and on 
the twenty-fourth encamped one mile south of that place, 
with General Meade's brigade two miles in advance. On 
the twenty-seventh. General John F. Reynolds, in com- 
mand of the Reserves, moved to Manassas by the way of 



82 LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 

Gainesville, and on arriving at the latter place, his com- 
mand was fired upon by two pieces of the enemy in posi- 
tion on the heights above Groveton, which were imme- 
diately replied to by one of our batteries, while General 
Meade rapidly placed his men in line of battle. The 
latter met with some loss, but the enemy retired after a 
brief demonstration. On the following day. General Meade 
was again actively engaged, and again on each successive 
day during that never-to-be-forgotten retreat, which closed 
the celebrated Pope campaign. During the actions of the 
twenty-eighth, twenty-ninth, and thirtieth of August, 
General Meade had twelve of his command killed, ninety- 
six wounded and seventy-seven missing. The casualties 
in the Division during the three days, numbered six hun- 
dred and fifty-three. In the official report of General 
Reynolds, that officer remarks : " General Meade, as here- 
tofore, led and conducted his brigade in the most skilful 
manner throughout the entire marches and Actions ;" and 
General Pope thus officially refers to the valor of the Re- 
serves and the efficiency of General Meade : " The Penn- 
sylvania Reserves under Reynolds rendered most gallant 
and efficient service in all the operations which occurred 
after they had reported to me. General Meade performed 
his duty with ability and gallantry, and in all fidelity to 
the Government and to the army." 

TAKES COMMAISTD OF THE RESERVES— THE 
BATTLE OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN. 

Early in September, 1862, General Meade marched his 
command w4th the other gallant and, notwithstanding 
their disastrous retreat, undaunted troops comprising the 
Army of the Potomac, towards that portion of Maryland 
into which Lee with his forces flushed with victory was 
rapidly advancing. General Reynolds was relieved from 
the command of the Reserves for the purpose of organizing 
the militia of Pennsylvania and preparing them for armed 



LIFE OF MAJOR-GEXERAL MEADE. 33 

resistance to the enemies of tbeir country, and on the 
twelfth of September, General Meade was ordered to as- 
sume his position. In the Battle of South Mountain, as 
a portion of Hooker's Corps, the veteran Division dis- 
played their usual prow^ess. Every man was at his post, 
and notwithstanding the incessant fire, the line moved 
forward, pouring volley after volley into the enemy's ranks, 
until victory crowned their efforts. General Hooker'.s 
Corps had left their position on the Monocacy creek early 
in the morning, and reached the Catoctin creek soon after 
noon, and at one o'clock General Meade's Division was 
ordered to make a div^ersion in favor of General Reno, who 
was then engaging the enemy. The Division left in pur- 
suance to these orders about two o'clock, and turned off 
to the right from the main road, on the old Hagerstown 
road, to Mount Tabor Church, and deployed a short dis- 
tance in advance, its right resting a little more than a mile 
from the turnpike. A few shots were fired from a rebel 
battery on the mountain side, but not much damage was 
effected. The First Pennsylvania Rifles were soon after 
sent forward as skirmishers, and General Meade was 
directed to advance his Division to the right of the road, 
so as to outflank, if possible, the enemy, who were found 
to be in force, and then to move forward and attack. The 
ground was of the most difficult character ; but, regardless 
of the natural obstructions and those which by means of 
stone and timber the rebels had constructed, the Pennsyl- 
vania troops marched up the mountain side, gradually dis- 
lodging the rebels from their positions. The action be- 
came general, and the gallant commander of the Reserves 
believing that efforts were being made to outflank him, 
applied for reinforcements, but before they arrived, the 
enemy, unable to contend against their veteran adversaries, 
retired, leaving General Meade in possession of the field. 
The admirable manner in which our hero handled his men 
2 



34 LIFE OF MAJOR-GEXKRAL MEADE. 

and directed their movements, won the commendation of 
his superior officers and the admiration of his men, who, 
stimulated by the confidence they had in his ability to lead 
them to success, clambered up to the crest and drove the 
foe down the rugged side to the valley beneath. The loss 
of the Reserves in the engagement, in killed, wounded 
and missing, was three hrmdred and ninety-two officers 
and men. 

TUESDAY'S FIGHT AT ANTIETAM CREEK. 

On the night of the battle of South Mountain our pick- 
ets were advanced and pursuit was commenced, General 
Hooker's corps marching by the National turnpike and 
Boonsboro. On the afternoon of the sixteenth, General 
Hooker was ordered to cross the Antietam creek with 
liis corps to attack, arid, if possible, to turn the enemy's 
left. Upon approaching their pickets, the Union skir- 
mishers were fired upon, and in a short time General 
Meade's corps was hotly engaged. A battle of a desperate 
character progressed for nearly four hours, at the end of 
which time the enemy fled and were pursued by Meade 
for nearly three miles. The firing continued until after 
dark, when the weary Pennsylvania troops, who had, un- 
assisted by their comrades belonging to the other divisions 
of the corps, fought and conquered a greatly superior 
force, rested upon the battle field. 

THE BATTLE OF ANTIETAM— MEADE AND HIS 
RESERVES. 

Exhausted as they were by long marches and the sangui- 
nary engagements they had just passed through, they 
were not to be permitted to rest long upon their laurels. 

At dawn of day on the seventeenth, the great battle of 
Antietam was commenced by the skirmishers of the Penn- 
sylvania Reserves. The left of General Meade's command 
and the right of General Rickett's line became engaged 



LIFE OF MAJOR-GEXEPwAL MEADE, 35 

about the same moment, one with artillery, the other with 
infantry. An eye-witness thus describes the part the 
Reserves took in the fight that followed : 

"A battery was almost immediately pushed forward beyond 
the central woods, over a ploughed field near the top of the slope 
where the cornfield began. On this open field, in the corn 
beyond, and in the woods which stretched forward into the 
broad fields like a promontory into the ocean, were the hardest 
and deadliest struggles of the day. For half an hour after the 
battle had grown to its full strength, the line of fire swayed 
neither way. The half hour passed ; the rebels began to give 
way a little — only a little, but at the first indication of a rece- 
ding fire, ' Forward' was the word, and on went the line with a 
cheer and a rush. Back across the cornfield, leaving dead and 
wounded behind them, over the fence, and across the road, and 
then back again into the dark woods which closed around them, 
went the retreating rebels. Meade and his Pennsylvanians fol- 
lowed hard and fast — followed till they came within easy range 
of the woods, among which they saw their beaten enemy disap- 
pearing, followed still with another cheer, and flung themselves 
against the cover. 

" But out of those gloomy woods came suddenly and heavily, 
terrible volleys — volleys which smote, and bent, and broke in a 
moment that eager front and hurled them swiftly back for 
half the distance they had won. Not swiftly, or in panic, any 
further. Closing up their shattered lines, they came slowly 
away ; a regiment where a brigade had been ; hardly a brigade 
where a whole division had been victorious. They had met 
at the woods the first volleys of musketry from fresh troops — had 
met them and returned them till their line had yielded and gone 
down before the weight of fire, and till their ammunition was 
exhausted." 

Pen can never do full justice to that noble body of 
veterans for their conduct throughout that memorable 
day. At one hour gallantly forcing the enemy back, and 
at another themselves compelled to succumb to overpower- 
ing masses, they still maintained that firm determination 
and exemplary discipline which in former contests had 
made them irresistible. Their brave general was con- 
stantly cheering and encouraging them with his presence 
and his voice, and not content with giving an order, went 
himself to see it executed. Shot and shell ploughed the 



36 LIFE OF MAJOE-GENERAL MEADE. 

earth around him, and hundreds of his valorous followers 
fell within the scope of his vision, but he rode backw^ards 
and forwards along his line, apparently without the slight- 
est apprehension of the dangers he encountered. Several 
of his regiments were terribly cut up, while the entire loss 
in the division was within two of six hundred. General 
Meade received a slight contusion from a spent grape 
shot, and had two horses killed under him. 

After General Hooker was wounded, General Meade 
was placed temporarily in command of his corps, which 
position he held until the return of General Reynolds 
from Pennsylvania, when he re-assumed command of the 
Reserve corps. 

IS APPOINTED MAJOR GENERAL OE VOLUN- 
TEERS. 

When the Army of the Potomac again crossed the Po- 
tomac in the latter part of October, 1862, General Meade 
accompanied it, and on the twenty-ninth of the following' 
month (November) was rewarded for his repeated acts of 
gallantry by an appointment as major-general of volunteers, 
an honorable promotion for which he had been earnestly 
recommended by Creneral Hooker. This additional honor 
was received with great satisfaction not only by the com- 
munity in which he was more particularly known and 
esteemed, but by the country at large. 

THE BATTLE OF EREDERICKSBURG — GEN- 
ERAL MEADE'S OFFICIAL REPORT. 

At the battle of Fredericksburg in December, 1862, the 
Reserves were connected with General Reynolds's corps 
and Franklin's Grand Division, and were among the first 
to cross the Rappahannock on the night and morning pre- 
ceding the engagement. Fire being opened upon the 
Grand Division it was immediately responded to by Gen- 
erals Meade and Doubleday, who kept the rebel forces at 



LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 37 

bay for several hours. Finding that the enemy largely 
outnumbered our own forces, reinforcements were sent 
for, and when they arrived upon the field they discovered 
that the Keserves held the right and were fighting bravely, 
as they continued to do until the close of the fearful strug- 
gle. About one o'clock. General Meade ordered a charge 
up the slope, and leading his men to the assault carried 
his colors successfully into the enemy's intrenchments and 
captured several hundred prisoners. Unfortunately he 
was not reinforced and was compelled by overwhelming 
numbers of fresh troops to retrace his steps. The follow- 
ing is the ofiicial report of General Meade : 

" Head-quarters, Third Division, First Corps, 

"Army of the Potomac, 

''Decemher 20th, 1862. 

" Captain : I have the honor to submit the subjoined report 
of the part taken by this division in the recent operations in the 
vicinity of Fredericksburg. 

"This division is composed of three brigades, organized and 
commanded as follows : 

" The First biigade, Colonel Wm. T. Sinclair, Sixth rcoi- 
nient Pennsylvania Reserve corps, commanding, consists of the 
First rifles, (Bucktails,) First, Second, and Sixth regiments 
Pennsylvania Reserve corps. 

" The Second brigade, commanded by Colonel A. L. Magilton, 
Fourth regiment Peiuisylvania Reserve corps, contains the Third, 
Fourth, Seventh and Eighth regiments Pennsylvania Reserve 
corps, together with the One-hundred-and-tbrty-second regi- 
ment Pennsylvania volunteers. 

"The Third brigade, commanded by Brigadier-General C. 
Feger Jackson, was composed of the Fifth, Ninth, Tenth, 
Eleventh and Twelfth regiments Pennsylvania Reserve corps. 

"Attached to this division were four batteries, each of four 
guns ; two of light 12-pounders, one commanded by Captain 1). 
R. Ransom, Third United States artillery ; the other by Lieu- 
tenant T. G. Simpson, First Pennsylvania artillery; and two 
of 3-inch rifled guns, commanded by Captains J. H. Cooper 
and F. P. Amsden, First Pennsylvania artillery. 

"On the eleventh instant the division moved from the camp 
near AVhite Oak Church to the vicinity of the point on the 
Rappahannock river selected for the crossing of the left grand 
division. The previous evening, Captain Amsden's battery of 
rifled guns had been detached and ordered to report to Captain 
De Russy, United States army, for service on the river bank. 



38 LIFE OF MAJOK-GFNERAL MEADE. 

Brigadier-General Jackson's brigade, together with Ransom's 
and Simpson's batteries, were also detached and sent down du- 
ring the night of the tenth and posted on the river bank to 
protect the crossing party, which duty was successfully accom- 
plished without any loss, although there was considerable firing 
between our sharpshooters and those of the enemy posted oa 
the opposite bank, 

" The bridges being completed, the division crossed the river 
on the morning of the twelfth, and was posted on the plateau, 
on the left of the line of battle formed by the left grand 
division. 

" The following was the formation of the division: The first 
brigade in line of battle, its left resting on the river bank, and 
the line extending, in a northwesterly direction, along and in 
rear of the ravine at Smithfield, the right connecting with the 
left of (xibbon's division. Two regiments of this brigade, the 
First rifles and Second infantry, were detached ; the former for 
picket duty, the latter to occupy the buildings and outhouses at 
Smithfield, and to hold the bridge across the ravine at its 
debouche into the river. 

"The batteries were posted in front of the First brigade, 
on the edge of the ravine, where they had complete command 
of the front and of the approach by the Bowling Green road. 

"The Second brigade was formed in line of battle three hun- 
dred paces in rear of the First, and parallel to it; and the Third 
brigade along the river bank in column of regiments, the head 
of the column being one hundred paces in rear of the left of the 
Second brigade. This position was occupied by 3 p.m., without 
any serious opposition from the enemy, but with occasional 
skirmishes with the pickets in front. 

" Early on the morning of the thirteenth, I accompanied the 
general commanding the First corps to the head-quarters of the 
left grand division, where the commanding general indicated the 
point he was instructed to attack ; and I was informed that my 
division had been selected to make the attack. The point indi- 
cated was on the ridge, or rather range of heights, extending 
from the Rappahannock, in rear of Fredericksburg, to the 
Massaponax, and was situated near the left of this ridge, where 
it terminated in the Massaponax valley. Between the heights 
to be attacked, and the plateau on which the left grand division 
was posted, there was a depression or hollow of several hundred 
yards in width, through which, and close to the foot of the 
heights, the Richmond railroad ran. 'J'he heights along the 
east were wooded. The slope to the railroad from the extreme 
left, for the space of three hundred or four hundred yards, was 
clear, lieyond this it was wooded ; .the woods extending across 
the hollow, and in front of the railroad. The plateau on our 
side was level, and cultivated ground up to the crest of the 
hollow, where there was quite a fail to the railroad. 



LIFE OF MAJOK-GEXERAL MEADE. 89 

*' The enemy occupied the wooded heights, the line of the 
railroad, and the woods in front. Owing to the woods, nothing 
could be seen of them, while all our movements on the cleared 
ground were exposed to their view. 

" Immediately on receiving orders, the division was moved 
forward, across the Smithfield ravine, advancing down the river 
some seven or eight hundred yards, when it turned sharp to the 
right, and crossed the Bowling Green road, which here runs in 
a parallel direction with the railroad. Some time was consumed 
in removing the hedge fences on this road, and bridging the 
drains on each side for the passage of artillery. 

"Between nine and ten o'clock, the column of attack was formed, 
as follows : The First brigade in line of battle on the crest of the 
hollow, and facing the railroad, with the Sixth regiment de- 
ployed as skirmishers ; the Second brigade in rear of the First 
three hundred paces ; the Third brigade by the flank, its right 
Hank being a few yards to the rear of the First brigade, having 
the Ninth regiment deployed on its flank as skirmishers and 
flankers; the batteries between the First and Second brigades. 

''This disposition had scarcely been made when the enemy 
opened a brisk fire from a battery posted on the Bov/ling Green 
road, the shot from which took the command from the left and 
rear. Apprehending an attack from that quarter, the Third 
brigade was faced to the left, (thus forming, with the First, 
two sides of a square.) Simpson's battery was advanced to the 
front and left of the Third brigade, and Cooper's and Ransom's 
batteries moved to a knoll on the left of the First brigade. 
These batteries immediately opened on the enemy's battery, 
and, in conjunction with some of General Doubleday's batteries 
in our rear, on the other side of the Bowling Green road, after 
some twenty minutes' tiring, silenced and compelled the with- 
drawal of the guns. 

" During this artillery duel, the enemy advanced a body of 
sliarpshooters along the Bowling Green road, and under cover 
of the hedges and trees at the roadside. General Jackson 
promptly sent out two companies of marksmen from his brigade, 
who drove the enemy back. No further demonstration on our 
left and rear being made, the advance was again determined ou. 

"• Previous to pushing forward the infantry, the batteries were 
directed to shell the heights and the woods in front. For this 
purpose, and to protect our line in case of falling back, Ean- 
som's battery was moved to the right and front of the First bri- 
gade, and Amsden's battery, which had just rejoined from de- 
tached duty, was posted on the right of Cooper. 

" During this operation, by the orders of the general com- 
manding First corps, the Third brigade changed front, and 
formed in line of battle on the left of the First brigade, its left 
extending so as to be nearly opposite to the end of the ridge to 
be attacked. The formation was barely executed before the 



40 LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 

enemy opened a sharp fire from a battery posted on the heights 
to our extreme left. Cooper's, Amsden's, and Ransom's batteries 
were immediately turned on it, and, after about thirty minutes' 
rapid firing, the enemy abandoned the guns, having had two of 
his limbers or caissons blown up, the explosions from which 
were plainly visible. As soon as the enemy's guns were silenced, 
the line of infantry was advanced to the attack. 

" The First brigade to the right advanced several hundred 
yards over cleared ground, driving the enemy's skirmishers be- 
fore them, till they reached the woods previously described as 
being in front of the railroad, which they entered, driving the 
enemy out of them to the railroad, where they were found 
strongly posted in ditches and behind temporary defences. The 
brigade (First) drove them from there, and up the heights in 
their front. Owing to a heavy fire being received on their right 
flank, they obliqued over to that side, but continued forcing the 
enemy back till they had crowned the crest of the hill, crossed 
a main road which runs along the crest, and reached open ground 
on the other side, where they were assailed by a very severe fire 
from a large force in their front, and at the same time the enemy 
opened a battery which completely enfiladed them from the right 
flank. After holding their ground for some time, and no support 
arriving, they were compelled to fall back to the railroad. 

"The Second brigade, which advanced in rear of the First, 
after reaching the railroad, with so severe a fire on their right 
flank that the Fourth regiment halted and formed, faced to the 
right, to repel this attack. The other regiments, in passing 
through the woods, being assailed from the left, inclined in that 
direction and ascended the heights, the Third going up as tlie 
One-hundred-aud-twenty-first of the First brigade was retiring. 
The Third continued to advance, and reached nearly the same 
point as the First brigade, but was compelled to M'ithdraw for 
the same reason. The Seventh engaged the enemy to the left, 
capturing many prisoners, and a standard, driving them from 
their rifle-pits and temporary defences, and continuing the pur- 
suit till encountering the enemy's reinforcements, they were, in 
turn, driven back. The Third brigade had not advanced over 
one hundred yards when the battery on the height on its left 
was re-manned, and poured a destructive fire into its ranks. 
Perceiving this, I despatched my aide-de-camp, Lieutenant 
Dehon, with orders for General Jackson to move by the right 
flank till he could clear the open ground in front of the battery, 
and then, ascending the height through the woods, sweep round 
to the left and take the battery. Unfortunately, Lieutenant 
Dehon fell just as he reached General Jackson, and, a short 
time after, the latter oflicer was killed. The regiments did, 
however, partially execute the movement by obliquing to the 
right, and advanced across the railroad, a portion ascending the 
heights in their front. The loss of their commander and the 



LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL 3IEADE. 41 

severity of the tire, from both artillery and infantry, to which 
they were subjected, compelled them to withdraw, when those 
on their right withdrew. 

" It will be seen from the foregoing that the attack was, for a 
time, perfectly successful. The enemy was driven from the rail- 
road, his rifle-pits and breastworks, for over half a mile; over 
two hundred prisoners were taken, and several standards; when 
the advanced line encountered the heavy reinforcements of the 
enemy, who, recovering from the effects of our assault, and per- 
ceiving both our flanks unprotected, poured in such a destructive 
fire from all three directions as to compel the line to fall back, 
which was conducted without confusion. 

" Perceiving the danger of too great penetration of my line 
without support, I despatched several staff officers both to Gen- 
eral Gibbon's command and General Birney's, (whose division 
had replaced mine at the batteries from whence we advanced) 
urging an advance to my support — the one on my right, the 
other to the left. A brigade of Birney's advanced to our relief, 
just as my men were withdrawn from the woods ; and Gibbon's 
division advanced into the woods on our right, in time to assist 
materially in the safe withdrawal of my broken line. 

"An unsuccessful effort was made to re-form the division in 
the hollow in front of the batteries. Failing in this, the com- 
mand was re-formed beyond the Bowling Green road, and marched 
to the ground occupied the night before, where it was held in 
reserve till the night of the fifteenth, when we re-crossed the 
river. 

"Accompanying this report is a list giving the names of the 
killed, wounded, and missing, amounting, in the aggregate, to 
1,760. AYhen I report that 4,500 men is a liberal estimate of the 
strength of the division taken into action, this large loss, being 
nearly forty per cent., will fully bear me out in the expression of my 
satisfaction at the good conduct of both officers and men. While I 
deeply regret the inability of the division, after having successfully 
penetrated the enemy's line, to remain and hold what had been 
secured, at the same time I deem their withdrawal a matter of 
necessity. With one brigade commander killed, another wounded, 
nearly half their number hors da combat, with regiments sepa- 
rated from brigades, and companies from regiments, and all the 
confusion and disaster incidental to the advance of an extended 
line through woods and other obstructions, assailed by a heavy 
fire, not only of infantry, but of artillery, not only in front, but on 
both flanks, the best troops would be justified in withdrawing 
without loss of honor, 

"The reports of the brigade commanders, herewith submitted, 
are referred to for details not contained in this report. 

" My thanks are due to Colonel W. T. Sinclair, Sixth regi- 
ment, and Colonel A. L. Magilton, Fourth regiment, for the 
manner in which they handled their commando. To Coloucl 



42 LIFE OF ilAJOR-GENEKAL MEADE. 

Siucluir particularly, who bad command of the advance during 
the whole day, and who was severely wounded, I desire to ex- 
press my obligation for the assistance rendered me. 

*' To the members of my personal staff. Captain E. C. Baird, 
assistant adjutant general. Captain A. Coxe, Pennsylvania 
volunteers, and Lieutenant E. G. Mason, Fifth regiment, aides-de- 
camp, I tender my thanks for the prompt an^ fearless manner 
in which they conveyed my orders to all parts of the field. The 
loss of Lieutenant Arthur Dehon, Twelfth regiment, my aide, is 
greatly to be deplored, as he was a young man ol' high 
promise, endeared to all that knew him for his manly virtues 
and amiable character. 

"The public service has also to mourn the loss of Brigadier- 
General C. Feger Jackson, an officer of merit and reputation, 
who owed his position to his gallantry and good conduct in 
previous actions. 

" Others have fallen of distinguished merit, and there are 
many of the living whom it will be my pleasure hereafter to 
bring to the notice of the government for their distinguished 
acts of gallantry. 

"At present I must refer to the reports of brigade and regi- 
mental commanders. 

" I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
" George G. Meade, 
"31aj or- General Cominauding. 

" Captain C. Kingsbury, 

''Asst Adft-Gen'L, Head-quarters First Corps." 

IS APPOINTED TO THE COMMAT^-D OF THE 
FIFTH COUPS— HIS FAREWELL TO THE 
RESERVES. 

On the 25th of December, 1862, General Meade was 
appointed to the command of the Fifth Arm}^ Corps, and 
l)ade farewell to the Division he had led through so many 
hard-fought engagements in the following general order : 

"Head-quarters, Third Division, First Army Corps, 

''December 25th, 1SG2. 
*' In accordance with Special Order No. 310, which was issued 
to the difiercnt regiments belonging to the Pennsylvania Ee- 
serve volunteer corps, which separates the commanding general 
from the division, he takes occasion to express to the officers 
and men that, notwithstanding his just pride at being pro- 
moted to a higher command, he experiences a deep Teeling of 
regret at parting from them, with whom he has been so long 
associated, and to whose services he here acknowledges his iu- 
debtedncp-s for whatever of icputation he may have acquired. 



LIFE OF MAJOR-GEXEKAL MEADE. 43 

" The commanding general will never cease to remember that 
he belonged to the Reserve corps. He will watch with eager- 
ness for the deeds of fame which he feels sure they will enact 
under the command of his successors ; and, though sadly reduced 
in numbers from the casualties of battle, yet he knows the 
Reserves will always be ready and prompt to uphold the honor 
and glory of their State. 

" George G. Meade, Major-General^ 

Gratified as his old followers were at the elevation, they 
received with sincere sorrow and regret the order which 
severed their honorable connection. 

Dflring the long period he had been with them as Bri- 
gade and Division Commander, he bad become endeared 
to every officer and private of the Reserves. In the hour 
of battle he had proved himself to be the bravest of the 
brave, and by his personal gallantry had incited them to 
deeds unsurpassed in the history of the rebellion. 

The modest manner in which he worded his farewell 
address, giving to them and not to himself all the credit 
for the acts which had promoted his advancement to more 
exalted military honors, was appreciated by the veterans 
he complimented, and added to the regret they already 
experienced. 

THE BATTLE OF CHANCELLORSVILLE. 

For a brief period General Meade commanded the Cen- 
tre Grand Division of the Army ; and when, in the latter 
part of January, 1863, General Hooker succeeded General 
Burnside as Commander-in-chief of the Army of the Po- 
tomac, General Meade was continued in command of the 
Fifth Corps ; and on the twenty-seventh of April, when 
the Army commenced the forward movement on Fred- 
ericksburg, the Fifth also struck their tents and accompa- 
nied it as a part of the right wing. During that advance, 
the energy and enterprise of this portion of the army were 
tested to the utmost extent. Leaving camp at Stoneman's 
Station at one o'clock in the afternoon of the twenty- 



44 LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 

seventh, the Fifth Corps marched by the way of Kelley's 
and Ely's Fords to Chancellorsville, arriving there at ten 
o'clock on the morning of the thirtieth, a distance of nearly 
fifty miles, accomplished in less than three days. This 
included all the halts and rests, including one of ten or 
twelve hours near Kelley's Ford, while the bridge at that 
point was being constructed, and other corps were cross- 
ing. During the advance two large rivers were crossed, 
and half of the time the rain fell in torrents. The fording 
of the Rapidan by this corps, with its artillery and trains, 
with the water waist-deep, was considered one of the most 
brilliant achievements of that subsequently unfortunate 
movement. Soon after its arrival at Chancellorsville, it 
became engaged with the skirmishers of the enemy, and 
captured their rifle-pits and other temporary works. On 
Sunday morning, the second of May, the great Battle of 
Chancellorsville opened in front of General Meade's corps, 
and one of his Brigades was sent into the woods and 
fought desperately. Artillery soon commenced playing 
from both sides, and the engagement became general and 
terrific. The Second Corps supported the Fifth, and the 
rebels were driven at every point. Throughout the three 
days' fearful struggle. General Meade displayed the skill 
in handling troops, which has always marked his partici- 
pation in the various engagements of the war ; and when 
at last General Hooker determined to recross the Rappa- 
hannock, General Meade covered the retreat, and with his 
wearied men kept a vigilant guard over the crossing until 
the rest of the noble army had safel}^ reached the northern 
bank of the stream. 

THE MARYLAISTD CAMPAIGN — GENERAL 
MEADE APPOINTED COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 
OF THE ARMY OP THE POTOMAC. 

During the extended and forced marches from the camp- 
ing grounds in Virginia, through Maryland into Pennsyl- 



LIFE OF MAJOE-GENERAL MEADE. 45 

vania in the latter days of June, 1863, General Meade's 
Corps submitted without complaint to the numerous hard- 
ships they were called upon to endure, and left no strag- 
glers to denote the course they had taken in pursuit of the 
enemy, who were already ravaging the fertile valleys and 
despoiling the citizens of the Keystone State. 

Before daylight on the morning of Sunday, the twenty- 
eighth of June, General Meade was aroused from his 
slumbers while reposing within his tent at Frederick, 
Maryland, by a messenger from General Halleck, who 
notified him that he had been selected to relieve General 
Hooker in command of the Army of the Potomac. The 
summons was sudden and unexpected, but the gallant and 
tried commander was equal to the emergency. The two 
opposing forces were face to face, and a struggle, which 
promised t-o be the most sanguinary of the war, was mo- 
mentarily threatened. Rising from his humble couch, he 
prepared himself for the responsible and delicate duties of 
his new position, and issued to the army the following 
address : 

'' Head-quarters of the Army of the Potomac, 
''June 28th, 1863. 
" By direction of the President of the United States, I do 
hereby assume command of the Army of the Potomac. As a 
soldier, in obeying this order, an order totally unexpected and 
unsolicited, I have no promises or pledges to make. The coun- 
try looks to this army to reheve it from the devastation and 
disgrace of a hostile invasion. Whatever fatigues and sacrifices 
we may be called upon to undergo, let us have in view constantly 
the magnitude of the interests involved, and let each man de- 
termine to do his duty, leaving to an all-controlling Providence 
the decision of the contest. It is with just diffidence that I re- 
lieve in the command of this army an eminent and accom- 
plished soldier, whose name must ever appear conspicuous in 
the history of its achievements ; but I rely upon the hearty 
support of my companions in arms to assist me in the discharge 
of the duties of the important trust which has been confided to 
me. " George G. Meade, 

"Major- General Commanding. 
" S. F. Barstow, 

''Assistant Adjutant- General." 



46 LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL xMEADE. 

General Hooker at the same time thus bade farewell to 
his troops : 

*' Head-quarters, Army of the Potomac, 
" Frederick, Md., June 2%th, 1863. 

" In conformity with the orders of the War Department, dated 
June 27th, 18G3, I relinquish the command of the Army of the 
Potomac. It is transferred to Major-General George G. Meade, 
a brave and accomplished officer, who has nobly earned the con- 
fidence and esteem of the army on many a well-fought field. 
Impressed with the belief that my usefulness as the commander 
of the Army of the Potomac is impaired, I part from it, yet not 
W'ithout the deepest emotion. The sorrow of parting with the 
comrades of so many battles is relieved by the conviction that 
the courage and devotion of this army will never cease nor 
fail ; that it will yield to my successor, as it has to me, a willing 
and hearty support. AYith the earnest prayer that the triumph 
of its arms may bring successes worthy of it and the nation, I 
bid it farewell. "Joseph Hooker, 

''Major-GeneraL 
** S. F. Barstow, 

*' Acting Adjutant- General.''^ 

Two days later the following circular was issued : 

"Head-quarters, Army of the Potomac, 

''Jane SOth, 1863. 
" The commanding general requests that previous to the en- 
gagement, soon expected loith the enemy, corps and all other 
commanding officers address their troops, explaining to them 
the immense issues involved in the struggle. The enemy is now 
on our soil. The whole country looks anxiously to this army to 
deliver it from the presence of the foe. Our failure to do so 
will leave us no such welcome as the swelling of millions of 
hearts with pride and joy at our success would give to every 
soldier of the army. Homes, firesides, and domestic altars are 
involved. The army has fought well heretofore. It is believed 
that it will fight more desperately and bravely than ever, if it is 
addressed in fitting terms. Corps and other commanders are 
authorized to order the instant death of any soldier who fails 
1o do his duty at this hour. " By command of 

''Major-General Meade, 
" S. Williams, Assistant Adjutant- Gerieral." 

The announcement that General Meade had been ap- 
pointed to lead the veterans of the Army of the Potomac 



LIFE OF MAJOR-GEXEPwAL ilEADE. 47 

in the expected battle, was received with general favor 
throughout the country. Although better known to the 
army than to the public at large, his reputation was suffi- 
ciently extended to make his appointment most acceptable 
to the relatives and friends of the heroes who comprised 
his command. They had heard of him in the battles upon 
the Peninsula, and they had received laudatory accounts 
of his gallantry at South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericks- 
burg and Chanccllorsville. lie had been selected by the 
President purely on account of his superior ability, and 
the selection was ratified by the soldiery and by the unani- 
mous voice of the people. lie had during the war con- 
sidered that his sole duty was to wield his sword in de- 
fence of the Union, and had steadily remained aloof from 
the political and military controversies which have too 
frequently marred the harmony which should exist among 
soldiers battling for the same cause:- A Captain at the 
commencement of the rebellion, he had rapidly advanced 
to the exalted position of Commander-in-Chief of the Army 
of the Potomac, and in each and every capacity, as Bri- 
gade, Division, or Corps commander, his services were 
conspicuous, receiving the commendation of his superior 
olScers and reflecting credit upon himself, his State and 
his country. 

But amid the rejoicing at the promotion, apprehensions 
naturally prevailed that the change had been too long de- 
ferred, and that the removal of an old, and the appoint- 
ment of a new leader might prove disastrous to the cause 
by the defeat of our forces. The change was made at a 
critical moment, and in the presence of an enemy of whose 
movements and intentions but little accurate information 
could be ascertained. Indeed, General Meade encountered 
more difficulty in procuring information while in Mary- 
land and Pennsylvania, than his predecessors had ever 
done while in the inhospitable counties of the Old Do- 



43 LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 

minion. His energies, however, were not to be diminished 
by the apparent carelessness and lack of spirit which 
seemed to pervade to a greater or less extent the residents 
of the section in which he was operating, and hastily form- 
ing his plans, he gave orders to his eager forces to ad- 
vance. 

THE BATTLE OE GETTYSBURG— GENERAL 
MEADE'S OEFICIAL REPORT. 

Of the great battle which commenced three days after 
General Meade assumed command of the army, the official 
report of that officer gives the following complete descrip- 
tion : 

"Head-quarters, Army of the Potomac, 
''October 1st, 1863. 

" General : I have the honor to submit herewith a report of 
the operations of this army during the month of July, including 
details of the battle of Gettysburg, which have been delayed by 
failure to receive the reports of the several corps and division 
commanders, who were severely wounded in battle. 

" On the twenty-eighth of June I received orders from the 
President, placing me in command of the Army of the 
Potomac. 

"The situation of affairs was briefly as follows: The Con- 
federate army, which was commanded by General K. E. Lee, 
was estimated at over one hundred thousand strong. All that 
army had crossed the Potomac river, and advanced up the Cum- 
berland valley. Reliable intelligence placed his advance thus : 
Ewell's corps on the Susquehanna, Harrisburgh, and Columbia; 
Longstreet's corps at Chambersburgh ; and Hill's corps between 
that place and Cashtown. 

" The twenty-eighth of June was spent in ascertaining the 
positions and strength of the different corps of the army, but prin- 
cipally in bringing up the cavalry which had been covering the 
rear of the army in its passage over the Potomac, and to which 
a large increase had just been made from the force previously 
attached to the defences of Washington. 

"Orders were given on this day to Major-General French, 
commanding at Harper's Ferry, to move with seven thousand 
men to occupy Frederick and the line of the Baltimore and Ohio 
railroad, with the balance of his force, estimated at four thou- 
sand, to remove and escort public property to Washington. 

" On the twenty-ninth the army was put in motion, and on 



LIFE OF MAJOK-GEXERAL MEADE. 49 

the evening of that day it was in position, the left at Emmetf- 
burgh and the right at New-Windsor, liuford's divi.sion of 
cavalry was on the left i3ank, with his advance at Gettysburg. 
Kilpatrick's division was in the front at Hanover, where he en- 
countered this day General Stuart's Confederate cavalrv, which 
had crossed the Potomac at Seneca creek, and passing our 
right flank, was making its way toward Carlisle, having escaped 
Greggs's division, which was delayed in taking position on the 
right flank by the occupation of the roads by a column of infantry. 

" On the thirtieth the right flank of the army was moved up 
to Manchester, the left still being at Emmetsburgh, or in that 
vicinity, at which place three corps, First, Eleventh, and Third, 
were collected under the orders of Major-General Reynolds. 

" General Buford having reported fron^ Gettysburg the ap- 
pearance of the enemy on the Cashtown road in some force, 
General Reynolds was directed to occupy Gettysburg. 

*' On reaching that place, on the first day of July, General 
Reynolds found Buford's cavalry warmly engaged with the 
enemy, who had debouched his infantry through the mountains 
on Cashtown, but was being held in check in the most gallant 
manner by Buford's cavalry. Major-General Reynolds imme- 
diately moved around the town of Gettysburg, and advanced 
on the Cashtown road, and without a moment's hesitation de- 
ployed his advanced division and attacked the enemy, at the 
same time sending orders for the Eleventh corps, General How- 
acd, to advance as promptly as possible. 

"Soon after making his dispositions for attack, Major-General 
Reynolds fell mortally wounded, the command of the First corps 
devolving on Major-txcneral Doubh^day, and the command of 
the field on Major-General Howard, who arrived about this 
time (half-past eleven a.m.) with the Eleventh corps, then com- 
manded by ^[ajor-General Schnrz. Major-General Howard 
pushed forward two divisions of the Eleventh corps to support 
the First corps, now warmly engaged with the enemy on the 
north of the town, and posted his third division, with three bat- 
teries of artillery, on the Cemetery ridge, on the south side of 
the town. 

" Up to this time the battle had been with the forces of the 
enemy debouching from the mountains on the Cashtown road, 
known to be Hill's corps. In the early part of the action the 
success was on the enemy's side. AV' adsworth's division of the 
First corps having diiven the enemy back some distance, cap- 
tured numerous prisoners, among them General Archer, of the 
Confederate army. 

"The arrival of reinforcements to the enemy on the Cashtown 
road, and the junction of Ewell's corps coming in on the York 
and Harrisburgh roads, which occurred between one and two 
o'clock P.M., enabled the enemy to bring vastly superior forces 
against both the First and p]leventh corps, outflanking our line 



50 LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 

of battle, and pressin": it so severely that, about four o'clock 
P.M., Major-General Howard deemed it prudent to withdraw 
these two corps to the Cemetery ridge, on the south side of the 
town, which operation was successfully accomplished — not, how- 
ever, without considerable loss in prisoners, arising from the con- 
fusion incident to portions of both corps passing through the 
town, and the men getting confused in the streets. 

"About the time of the withdrawal, Major-General Hancock 
arrived, whom I had despatched to represent me on the field, on 
hearing of the death of General Reyn<»^}s. In conjunction with 
3lajor-General Howard, General Hancock proceeded to post the 
troops on Cemetery ridge, and to repel an attack that the enemy 
made on our right flank. This attack was not, however, very 
vigorous ; the enemy, seeing the strength of the position occu- 
pied, seemed to be satisfied with the success he had accom- 
plished, desisting from any further attack this day. 

"About seven o'clock p.m. Major-General ISlocum and Sickles, 
■with the Twelfth corps and part of the Third, reached the 
ground and took post on the right and left of the troops pre- 
viously posted. Being satisfied, from reports received from the 
field, that it was the intention of the enemy to support, with his 
whole army, the attack already made, and reports from Major- 
(ienerals Hancock and Howard on the character of the position 
being favorable, I determined to give battle at this point, and 
early in the evening first issued orders to all corps to concen- 
trate at Gettysburg, directing all trains to be sent to the rear 
at Westminster at eleven p.m. first. 

" I broke up my head-quarters, which till then had been at 
Taneytown, and proceeded to the fieUl, arriving there at one a.m. 
of the second. 80 soon as it was light I proceeded to inspect 
the position occupied, and to make arrangements for posting 
several corps as they should reach the ground. 

" By seven a.m. the Second and Fifth corps, with the rest of 
the Third, had reached the ground, and were posted as follows : 
The Eleventh corps retained its position on Cemetery ridge, just 
opposite to the town ; the First corps was posted on the right ; 
the Eleventh on an elevated knoll connecting with the ridge and 
extending to the south and east, on which the 'JV'elfth corps was 
placed, the right of the Twelfth corps resting on a small stream 
at a point where it crossed the Baltimore pike, and which formed 
on the right flank of the Twelfth something of an obstacle. 

" Cemetery ridge extended in a westerly and southerly direc- 
tion, gradually diminishing in elevation till it came to a very 
prominent ridge called 'Round Top,' running east and west. 
The Second and Third corps were directed to occupy the con- 
tinuation of Cemetery ridge, on the left of the Eleventh corps 
and Fifth corps ; pending their arrival the Sixth corps was 
held in reserve. While these dispositions were being made, the 



LIFE OF MAJOK-GENERAL MEADE. 51 

enemy was massing his troops on an exterior ridge, distant from 
the line occupied by us from a mile to a mile and a half. 

"At two P.M. the Sixth corps arrived, after a march of thirty- 
two miles, which was accomplished from nine p.m. of the day 
previous. On its arrival being reported, I immediately directed 
the Fifth corps to move over to our extreme left, and the Sixth 
to occupy its place as a reserve for the right. 

"About three p.m. I rode out to the extreme left to await the 
arrival of the Fifth corps and post it, when 1 found that Major- 
General Sickles, commanding the Third corps, not fully appre- 
hending my instructions in regard to the position to be occupied, 
had advanced, or rather was in the act of advancing his corps 
some half-mile or three-quarters of a mile in the front of the 
line of the Second corps on a prolongation which it was de- 
signed his corps should rest. 

" Having found Major-General Sickles, T was explaining to him 
that he was too far in the advance, and discussing with him the 
propriety of withdrawing, when the enemy opened upon him with 
several batteries in his front and his flank, and immediately 
brought forward columns of infantry, and made a vigorous as- 
sault. The Third corps sustained the shock most heroically. 
Troops from the Second corps were immediately sent by Major- 
General Hancock to cover the right flank of the Third corps, and 
soon after the assault commenced. 

"The Fifth corps most fortunately arrived, and took a posi- 
tion on the left of the Third, Major-General Sykes commanding, 
immediately sending a force to occupy ' Round Top' ridge, where 
a most furious contest was maintained, the enemy making des- 
perate but unsuccessful efforts to secure it. Notwithstanding 
the stubborn resistance of the Third corps, under Major-General 
Birney, (Major-General Sickles having been wounded early in 
the action,) superiority in numbers of corps of the enemy en- 
abling him to outflank its advanced position. General Birney 
was counselled to fall back and re-form, behind the line originally 
desired to be held. 

" In the meantime, perceiving the great exertions of the 
enemy, the Sixth corps, Major-General Sedgwick, and part of 
the First corps, to which I had assigned Major-General Newton, 
particularly Lockwood's Maryland brigade, together with de- 
tachments from the Second corps, were all brought up at dif- 
ferent periods, and succeeded, together with a gallant resistance 
of the Fifth corps, in checking and finally repulsing the assault 
of the enemy, who retired in confusion and disorder about sun- 
set, and ceased any further efforts on our extreme left. 

"An assault was, however, made about eight p.m. on the 
Eleventh corps, from the left of the town, which was repelled 
by the assistance of troops from the Second and First corps. 
During the heavy assault upon our extreme left, portions of the 
Twelfth corps were sent as reinforcements. 



52 LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 

" During' their absence the line on the extreme right was held 
by a very much reduced force. This was taken advantage of by 
the enemy, who, during the absence of Geary's division of the 
Twelfth corps, advanced and occupied part of the line. 

" On the morning of the third Jul}-, General Geary having re- 
turned during the night, attacked at early dawn the enemy and 
succeeded in driving him back and re-occupying his former 
position. A spirited contest was maintained all the morning 
along this part of the line. General Geary, reinforced by 
AVheaton's brigade of the Sixth corps, maintained his positioQ 
and inflicted very severe- losses on the enemy. 

" With this exception, our lines remained undisturbed till one 
P.M. on the third, when the enemy opened from over one hun- 
dred and twenty-five guns, playing upon our centre and left. 
This cannonade continued for over two hours, when, our guns 
failing to make any reply, the enemy ceased firing, and soon his 
masses of infantry became visible, forming for an assault on our 
left and left centre. 

"An assault was made with great firmness, directed princi- 
pally against the point occupied by the Second corps, and was 
repelled with equal firmness by the troops of that corps, sup- 
ported by Doubleday's division and Stannard's brigade of the 
First corps. During this assault both Major-General Hancock, 
commanding the left centre, and Brigadier-General Gibson, 
commanding the Second corps, were severely wounded. 

"This terminated the battle, the enemy retiring to his lines, 
leaving the field strewed M'ith his dead and wounded, and numer- 
ous prisoners in our hands. 

** Buford's division of cavahy, after its arduous service at 
Gettysburg, on the first, was, on the second, sent to Westmin- 
ster to refit and guard our trains. Kilpalrick's division, that 
on the twenty-ninth, thirtieth, and first had been successfully 
engaging the enemy's cavalry, was, on the third, sent out on 
our extreme left, on the Emmetsburgh road, where good service 
was rendered in assaulting the enemy's line and occupying his 
attention. 

"At the same time General Gregg was engaged with the enemy 
on our extreme right, having passed across the Baltimore pike 
and Bonaughtown roads, and boldly attacked the enemy's left 
and rear. 

" On the morning of the fourth, the reconnoissances developed 
that the enemy had drawn back his left flank, but maintained his 
position in front of our left, apparently assuming a new line 
parallel to the mountain. 

" On the morning of the fifth it was ascertained that the 
enemy was in full retreat by the Fairfield and Cashtown roads. 
The Sixth corps was immediately sent in pursuit on the Fairfield 
road, and the cavalry on the Cashtown road, and by Emmets- 
biM'gh and Monterey passes. 



LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 53 

" The fifth and sixth of July were employed in succoring the 
wounded and burying the dead. 

"Major-General Sedgv/ick, commanding the Sixth corps, hav- 
ing pushed on in pursuit of the enemy as'" far as Fairfield Pass 
in the mountains, and reporting that pass as very strong, and 
one in which a small force of the enemy could hold 'in check and 
delay for a considerable time any pursuing force, I determined 
to follow the enemy by a flank movement, and accordingly leav- 
ing Mcintosh's brigade of cavalry and Neill's brigade of in- 
fantry to continue harassing the enemy, I put the army in 
motion for Middletown, Maryland. 

"Orders were immediately sent to Major-General French, at 
Frederick, to re-occupy Harper's Ferry, and to send a force to 
occupy Turner's Pass, in South-Mountain. I subsequently 
ascertained that Major-General French had not only anticipated 
these orders in part, but had pushed his cavalry force to Wil- 
liamsport and Falling Waters, where they destroyed the enemy's 
pontoon-bridge and captured its guard. Buford was at Ihe same 
time sent to Williamsport and Hagerstown. 

*'The duties above assigned to the cavalry was most success- 
fully accomplished, the enemy being greatly harassed, his trains 
destroyed, and many captures in guns and prisoners made. 
After halting a day at Middletown to procure necessary sup- 
plies and to bring up trains, the army moved through South- 
Mountain, and by the twelfth of July was in front of the enemy, 
who occupied a strong position on the heights of Marsh Eun, 
in advance of Williamsport. 

" In taking this position, several skirmishes and affairs had 
been had with the enemy, principally by cavalry, from the Elev- 
enth and Sixth corps. 

" The thirteenth was occupied in making reconnoissances of 
the enemy's position and preparations for attack, but on ad- 
vancing on the morning of the fourteenth, it was ascertained 
he had retired the night previous by a bridge at Falling Waters 
and a ford at Williamsport. 

" The cavalry in pursuit overtook the rear-guard at Falling 
Waters, capturing two guns and numerous prisoners. 

" Previous to the retreat of the enemy, Gregg's division of 
cavalry had crossed at Harper's Ferry, and coming up with the 
rear of the enemy at Cliarlestown and Shepherdstown, had a 
spirited contest, in which the enemy were driven to Martins- 
burgh and Winchester, and pressed and harassed in his re- 
treat. 

" Pursuit was resumed by a flank movement of the army, 
crossing the Potomac at Berlin, and moving down Loudon 
Valley. Cavalry were immediately pushed into several passes 
cf the Blue Ridge, and having learned from scouts of the with- 
drawal of the Confederate army from the lower valley of the 
Shenandoah, the Third corps, Major-General French in ad- 



54 LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 

vance, was moved into Manassas Gap, in the hope of being 
able to intercept a portion of the enemy. 

"The possession of the gap was disputed so successfully as to 
enable the rear-guard to withdraw by way of Strasburgh, the 
Confederate army retiring to the Rapidan. Position was 
taken with this army on the line of the Rappahannock, and the 
campaign terminated about the close of July. 

" The result of the campaign may be briefly stated in the de- 
feat of the enemy at Gettysburg, their compulsory evacuation 
of Pennsylvania and Maryland, and withdrawal from the upper 
valley of the Shenandoah, and the capture of three guns, forty- 
one standards, and thirteen thousand six hundred and twenty- 
one prisoners. Twenty-four thousand nine hundred and seventy- 
eight small arms were collected on the battle-field. 

" Our own losses were very severe, amounting, as will be seen 
by the accompanying return, to two thousand eight hundred and 
thirty-four killed, thirteen thousand seven hundred and nine 
wounded, and six thousand six hundred and forty-three missing 
• — in all twenty-three thousand one hundred and eighty-six. 

" It is impossible, in a report of this nature, to enumerate all 
the instances of gallantry and good conduct which distinguished 
our success on the hard-fought field of Gettysburg. The re- 
ports of corps commanders and their subordinates, herewith 
Bubmitted, will furnish all information upon this subject. 

" I will only add my tribute to the heroic bravery of the whole 
army, officers and men, which, under the blessing of Divine 
Providence, enabled the crowning victory to be obtained, which 
I feel confident the country will never cease to bear in grateful 
remembrance. 

" It is my duty, as well as my pleasure, to call attention to 
the earnest efforts and co-operation on the part of Major-Gen- 
eral D. N. Couch, commanding the department of the Susque- 
hannah, and particularly to his advance of four thousand men 
under Brigadier- General W. F. Smith, who joined me at Boons- 
boro', just prior to the withdrawal of the Confederate army. 

"In conclusion, I desire to return my thanks to my staff, gen- 
eral and personal, to each and all of whom I was indebted for 
unremitting activity and most efficient assistance. 

' Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

" George G. Meade, 
^' Major- General Commanding. 
" Brigadier- General L. Thomas, 

Adjutant- General U. S. A." 

GENERAL MEADE'S HEAD-QUARTERS UNDER 
FIRE. 

During the greater portion of that terrible fight, Gen- 
eral Meade with his staff occupied a little one-story frame 



LIFE OF MAJ0R-GE>7EKAL MEADE. 55 

house to the left and rear of the beautiful Cemetery 
grounds, and just under a low hill where the left of our 
lines joined the centre. It was in a secluded location, but, 
as was subsequently proved, in one of the most exposed 
positions on the extended field of operations. How ex- 
posed to shot and shell was the gallant Commander-in- 
Chief and the brilliant staff which calmly shared his 
dangers, may be best ascertained by the following vivid 
description of the correspondent of a New York journal, 
w^ho himself remained within the building throughout the 
terrible cannonade. He says : 

** In the shadow cast by the tiny farm-house, sixteen by 
twenty, which General Meade had made liis head-quarters, lay 
wearied staff-officers and tired correspondents. There was not 
wanting to the peacefulness of the scene the singing of a bird, 
which had a nest in a peach tree M'ithin the tiny yard of the 
white-washed cottage. In the midst of its warbHng, a shell 
screamed over the house, instantly followed by another and 
another, and in a moment the air was fall of the most complete 
artillery prelude to an infantry battle that was ever exhibited. 
Every size and form of shell known to British and to American 
gunnery, shrieked, whirled, moaned, and whistled and wrathfully 
fluttered over our ground. As many as six in a second, con- 
stantly two in a second, bursting and screaming over and around 
the head-quarters, made a very hell of fire that amazed the 
oldest officers. They burst in the yard — burst next to the fence 
on both sides, garnished as usual with the hitched horses 
of aids and orderlies. The fastened animals reared and 
plunged with terror. Then one fell, then another — sixteen lay 
dead and mangled before the fire ceased, still fastened by their 
halters, which gave the expression of being wickedly tied up to 
die painfully. These brute victims of a cruel war touched all 
hearts. Through the midst of the storm of screaming and ex- 
ploding shells, an ambulance, driven by its frenzied conductors 
at full speed, presented to all of us the marvellous spectacle of 
a horse going rapidly on three legs. A hinder one had been 
shot off at the hock. A shell tore up the little step at the 
head-quarters cottage, and ripped bags of oats as with a knife. 
Another soon carried off one of its two pillars. Soon the 
spherical case burst opposite the open door— another ripped 
through the low garret. The remaining pillar went almost im- 
mediately to the howl of a fixed shot that Whitworth must 
have made. During this fire the horses at twenty and thirty 
feet distant were receivin^i: their death, and soldiers in Federal 



56 LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 

blue were torn to pieces in the road, and died with the peculiar 
yells that blend the extorted cry of pain with horror and despair. 
Not an orderly — not an ambulance — not a straggler was to be 
seen upon the plain swept by this tempest of orchestral death, 
thirty minutes after it commenced. AVere not one hundred and 
twenty pieces of artillery trying to cut from the field every bat- 
tery we had in position to resist their proposed infantry attack, 
and to sweep away the slight defences jjehiud v»'hich our infantry 
were waiting? Forty minutes — fifty minutes — counted watches 
that ran, oh! so languidly! Shells through the two lower 
rooms. A shell into the chimney, that daringly did not explode. 
Shells in the yard. The air thicker and fuller and more deafen- 
ing with the howling and whirring of these infernal missiles. 
The Chief of Staff' sLruck — Seth V/Hliams — loved and respected 
ihrough the army, separated from instant death by two inches 
of space vertically measured. An aid bored with a fragment of 
iron through the bone of the arm. And the time measured on 
the sluggish watches was one hour and forty minutes." 

Amid all these excitlDg scenes, General Meade did not 
for a moment forget bis self-possession, but issued his or- 
ders with as much calmness and composure as he would 
have done if his gallant men had been upon a dress parade, 
instead of being engaged in one of the most bloody bat- 
tles of modern times. At length it became impossible for 
his Aids to bear to the different commanders the orders 
which were indispensable to the successful continuance of 
the engagement, and a change being necessary, the little 
half-destroyed building w^as evacuated, and General Meade 
established his head-quarters in a little grove at the foot 
of one of the hills occupied by General Slocum's Corps. 

THE BEJOICING AT THE VICTOKY. 

The glorious victory which crowned the gallantry of 
the veteran heroes of the Army of the Potomac, sent a 
thrill of joy to every patriotic heart in the loyal States. 
From thousands of homes in the North and West came 
the cries of widows and orphans made desolate during 
that fearful carnage; but v/ilh all the despair and anguish 
at the loss of their own beloved relations, they did not 
fvi'^et to unite their voices with the millions of exultant 



f 



LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 57 

freemen in the great song of thanksgiving. Pennsylvania 
was rescued from the invader, and Baltimore and the Fed- 
eral Capital were saved, and to the brave defenders, with 
their skilful leader, who, under the direction of the God 
of battles, had accomplished these results, were accorded 
the thanks and laudations of a rescued people. 

THE CIECUMSTAK"CSS UK-DEH WHICH THE 
BATTLE WAS l^OXJGHT. 

The battle of Gettysburg was fought under circum- 
stances different from those which marked any of the nu- 
merous contests which preceded it. The Union forces 
had been suddenly drawn into it after a long and fatiguing 
march, many of the regiuients not having been enabled 
even to take an hour's rest before they became engaged ; 
they had not yet recovered from the shock they experienced 
at Chancellorsvilie; and they were naturally somewhat 
dispirited by a change of commanders at a time when they 
momentarily expected to meet the enemy. General 
Meade was necessarily known to all the principal officers, 
but there were many of the subordinates, and the large 
bulk of the rank and file, who had heard of him only as 
an able commander, v/ho had upon various occasions dis- 
played conspicuous gallantry. To General Meade himself 
the unexpected promotion was a causAof much anxiety, 
but he had no fear for the future. His long experience in 
handling troops; his prompt and active, yet always dis- 
creet method of conducting operations; his thorough mili- 
tary education; and the veneration and respect which he 
always succeeded in creating among the men of his com- 
mand, rendered him the most desirable officer that could 
have been selected at that critical hour for the leader of 
the Potomac army. TJ])ou assuming the command, ho 
made no pledges or promises which he might subsequently 
lind difficult to accomplish, but merely recorded his deter^ 



58 LIFE OF MAJOR-GEXEKAL Mi^ADE. 

niination to do a soldier's duty, leaving to an all-controlling 
Providence the decision of the contest. He realized to 
the fullest extent the magnitude and importance of the 
task imposed upon him, and the successful issue of the 
three days' conflict at Gettysburg proved the wisdom of 
the selection and the superior ability of the brave man 
who planned and fought the battle. 

WHO PLAN]MED THE BATTLE. 
It has been rumored that to General Hooker was due 
the plan of the fight, but no more unfounded statement 
was ever concocted or circulated. Although General 
Hooker was necessarily aware from the proximity of the 
two opposing forces that an engagement was imminent, it 
was utterly impossible for him to foresee the exact spot 
where it would take place, nor indeed could General 
Meade himself know that the quiet little town of Gettys- 
burg was to be the site. He might have imagined that 
with one army to the north and the other to the south of 
that place, accessible by highways and by-ways from all 
directions, thus giving facilities for the concentration of 
troops, the conflict would probably occur in its vicinity, 
but beyond that no commander, however great his abilit}'', 
could have known. 

GENERAL MEADE'S CONGRATULATORY AD- 
DRESS TO HIS ARMY. 

On the fourth of July, and when it was not yet certain 
that the enemy would not make another determined stand 
within the Pennsylvania border. General Meade issued 
the following congratulatory Address to his victorious 
troops : 

" Head-quarters, Army of the Potomac, 

"Near (tettvsburg, July 4th, 1863. 
"The commanding general, in behalf of the country, thanks 
the Army of the Potomac, fur the glorious result of the recent 



LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 59 

operations. Our enemy, superior in numbers, and flushed with 
the pride of a successful invasion, attempted to overcome or 
destroy this army. Baffled and defeated, he has now withdrawn 
from the contest. The privations and fatigues the army has 
endured, and the heroic courage and gallantry it has displayed, 
will be matters of history to be ever remembered. 

"Our task is not yet accomplished, and the commanding 
general looks to the army for greater efibrts to drive from ou'r 
soil every vestige of the presence of the invader. 

*' It is right and proper that we should, on suitable occasions, 
return our grateful thanks to the Almighty Disposer of events, 
that, in the goodness of His providence, He has thought fit to 
give victory to the cause of the just. By command of 

"3IaJor-Gt7ieral Meade. 
" S. Williams, A. A. Qy 

THE FALL OP VICKSBURG. 

Three days later he issued the following order announ- 
cing the fall of A^icksburg, the intelligence of which was re- 
ceived by the troops with the wildest enthusiasm : 

" Head-quarters, Army of the Potomac, 

''July Ith, 1863. 
"It is with much satisfaction that the Major-General com- 
manding, announces to the army under his command, that he has 
received official intelligence that Vicksburg was surrendered by 
the enemy to General Grant on the fourth instant. 

" By command of " 3Iaj or- General Meade. 

*'S. F. Barstow, Assistant Adjutant-General." 

AN ENGLISHMAIf'S OPINIOIT OF GENERAL 
IvIEADE. 
A correspondent of the London Star, writing from 
Hagerstown, Maryland, after the battle, thus describes the 
illustrious hero of Gettysburg : 

•' I was so fortunate as to be personally introduced to General 
Meade. He was sitting with General French at the United 
States Hotel. He is a very remarkable-looking man — tall, 
spare, of a commanding figure and presence, his manner easy and 
pleasant, but having much dignity. His head is partially bald, 
and is small and compact, but the forehead is high. He has 
the late Duke of Wellington class of nose, and his eyes, which 
have a serious and almost sad expression, are rather sunken, or 
appear so from the prominence of the curved nasal development, 
lie has a decidedly patrician and dislniguic^hed aiipearancc. I 



60 LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 

had some conversation — and of his recent achievements he spoke 
in a modest and natural way. He said that he had been 'very 
fortunate,' but was most especially anxious not to arrogate to 
himself any credit which he did not deserve. He said that the 
triumph of the Federal arms was due to the splendid courage 
of the Union troops, and also to the bad strategy and rash and 
mad attacks made by the enemy. He said that his health was 
remarkably good, and that he could bear almost any amount of 
physical fatigue. What he complained of was the intense 
mental anxiety occasioned by the great responsibility of his 
position." 

THE PURSUIT OF THE El^EMY— THE FIGHT 
AT FALLING WATERS. 
On the seventh of July, the two preceding da^^s having 
been devoted to the burial of the dead and the succor of 
the wounded, General Meade placed his army in motion 
for Middletown, Maryland, and after a day's rest, at that 
place, continued through the South Mountain passes, and 
by the twelfth was in front of the enemy, who were in 
positien in front of Williamsport. On the fourteenth, our 
cavalry advanced on Williamsport, but Lee had crossed 
the Potomac on the previous night. At Falling Waters, 
a few miles below, hovv^ever, the cavalry overtook the rear 
guard, capturing two guns, three battle-flags and a num- 
ber of prisoners. 

WHY LEE ESCAPED ACROSS THE POTOMAC. 

Notwithstanding the general rejoicing at the victory, 
and the relief experienced at the retreat across the Poto- 
mac of Lee and his followers, a few snarling critics in- 
dulged in invidious comments upon the escape, and as a 
part of the history of the brilliant campaign, we republish 
the following extracts from a private letter written by a 
prominent officer, in answer to the unjust strictures to 
which we allude : 

"After the battle of (xettysburg, when Loe retreated through 
the mountain passes, Meade's army was greatly exhausted by 
three days' fighting and its previous forced marches, and was 



LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. Gl 

also greatly reduced in numbers, having lost nearly twenty 
thousand men, killed, wounded, and missing, saying nothing of 
stragglers. Directly to pursue Lee through the mountains, in 
narrow passes, wouhl have enabled him with a strong rear-guard 
to have held Meade in check till he could have re-assembled his 
army in the Cumberland Valley, and then thrown his masses on 
the heads of his columns when he forced his way through, or he 
could have detained Meade so long in the mountains that he 
could easily have gotten away with the main portion of his army 
if he so desired. 

" It was plain that if Lee chose to run away no one in pur- 
suit could stop him, and that the only chance was to endeavor 
to intercept him at Ilagerstown, provided he was not retiring 
as fast as he might have done. The rise in the Potomac favored 
Meade, who was able to concentrate his army in Lee's vicinity 
before he had crossed. But Lee was found in a very strong 
position, with all his artillery placed, and with his whole army 
behind breastworks, ready to defend or oppose our advance. 
The great difficulty was that, owing to the character of the 
country, it was impossible to reconnoitre Lee's position and 
ascertain what chances of success our attack would have. Had 
it been practicable to see exactly where Lee was, and for the 
general-iu-chief to have formed a positive judgment on the sub- 
ject of the probability of success in an attack. General Meade 
might have sought no advice, or at least might have given it less 
importance. But in the absence of such precise information, his 
duty required that before he incurred the hazards of a blind at- 
tack, he should submit the question to those who had to execute 
the work if decided upon. After consultation, the corps com- 
manders decided that the risks incurvi^d would not justify an 
attack being made until there was tome reasonable degree of 
probability apparent that it would succeed. 'I'hey based their 
judgment on the consequences to the cause and country in case 
our army should be repulsed and eventually defeated, thus losing 
all the advantages gained at Gettysburg, and placing Lee com- 
pletely in mastery of the situation. The country, they thought, 
depended, at this juncture, on the existence of the Army of the 
Potomac. The reports of the demoralization of the enemy were 
known to be exaggerated, and the desperateness of his condi- 
tion, if defeated, would tend to make the battle desperate beyond 
comparison. 

"General Meade acted as a prudent man would have done. 
The question was, should he order a blind attack when ignorant 
of all essential matters, having therefore no clear view that 
success was probable against a splendidly-posted, desperate and 
powerful enemy, when his five corps commanders advised against 
it, and when to be defeated was to lose all the benefit of the 
past victory, and to place the North and Washington again at 
the command of Lee and his army ? Had he seei his own way 



()2 LTFR OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 

reasonably clear to victory, he should have discarded advice and 
overruled his subordinates. But no general-in-chief would have 
a rij?ht to imperil so much when his mind was not clear that he 
would win. 

" The next day after the council was spent in making exam- 
inations of the enemy's position. They all resulted in showing 
him in great force and very strongly posted. But having ac- 
quired this fuller though not complete knowledge, General 
Meade, stronger by delay, determined on an attack the day 
after. That night General Lee escaped, to the surprise of all — 
a surprise which has had its counterpart more than once during 
this war. Such was the surprise of Lee himself when Burnside 
escaped at Fredericksburg and Hooker -ftt Chancellorsville ; of 
Halleck when Beauregard got away at Corinth. 

" On one important fact the public are greatly misinformed. 
It was generally supposed that General Lee's army was crossing 
during the day which succeeded the council of war, so that only 
a part of it lay opposed to ^teade for some hours. Such is not 
the case. Not a man in Lee's army left his lines till after dark. 
Had Meade attacked that day, he would have found Lee's whole 
army in force, ready to receive him. 

"Disappointment at the result no one can blame. Indeed, 
the chief actors, the corps commanders and the general-in-chief, 
were the most disappointed of all. But dissatisfaction and 
censure, such as some journals express or hint, seem positively 
unjust. It is very improbable that an attack upon Lee, in that 
position, with his numerous artillery crowning the heights and 
commanding the defiles and roads, could have been successful. 
But to have authorized such an attack by a general subjected 
to the responsibilities which belonged to General Meade, after 
the victory at Gettysburg, it should have been plain and clear 
that the chances were in favor of success. 

" General Meade is in many respects differently situated from 
those heretofore in command of the Army of the Potomac. 
He has had no newspaper claqueurs in the camp or out of it. 
His present post fell to his lot through the wish of his brother 
soldiers. To no one was his designation to the important sta- 
tion he holds a greater surprise than to himself. Only sense 
of duty determined him to accept it. He seeks no personal 
exaltation now. Whenever it is for the interest of the cause 
that another should take his place, that moment, those who 
know him are perfectly assured, he will be prepared cheerfully 
to vacate his position. It is his cherished opinion that personal 
considerations should be entirely discarded in this momentous 
contest. All he pretends to, is the character of an honest 
soldier sincerely trying to do his duty to the best of his ability. 
Such a man should receive from all good citizens their earnest 
regard and support. 

" We may say this because we find some are ready to blame 



LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 63 

and tlecry General Meade, notwithstanding his wonderful 
success. 

" It seems to us that in General ^leade more desiderata com- 
bine than in any former leader of the Army of the Potomac. 
Of mature age, and with a previous experience which all others 
lacked, a thoroughly educated soldier, a man of lofty character, 
loyal to the core, yet unknown to party cliques, embarrassed by 
no military jealousies, prompt, active, untiring, yet discreet, dis- 
playing skill as a field-officer hitherto unprecedented, a soldier and 
only a soldier, and exhibiting in his despatches and official con- 
duct a modesty and a sense of duty as rare as commendable, wo 
cannot help hoping much from him, and are willing to trust much 
to him ; especially as there looks out from all his conduct one 
quality in which he stands alone, a humble recognition that vic- 
tory is of the Lord, and that to Him belongs its glory." 

The Army of the Potomac soon after the escape of Lee 
crossed into Virginia, and resumed its old position on the 
Rappahannock. 

GENEHAL MEADE PRESETsTTED BY THE PENN- 
SYLVANIA RESERVES WITH A HANDSOME 
TESTIMONIAL. 

On the twenty-eighth of August, 1863, the officers of the 
Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, desirous of presenting him 
with a testimonial of their esteem -and admiration for 
his talents and skill as aa officer and leader, and of their 
affection for him as a tried friend and courteous gentle- 
man, offered for his acceptance a costly sword of most 
exquisite workmanship, and accompanied by a sash, belt 
and pair of golden spurs. The blade of the sword was 
of the finest Damascus steel, and the scabbard of pure 
gold, having among the inscriptions the following : 

'' Mechanicsville, Gaines' Hill, New Market Crossroads, 
Malvern Hill, Bull Run (Second), South Mountain, An- 
tietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg." 

Near the hilt, inlaid in blue enamel and gold, with 
precious diamonds, were the initials of General Meade, 
" G. G. M. ;" and the handle of the w^eapon was encircled 
with a row of opals, amethysts, rubies and other precious 
jewels. Invitations were extended to Governor Curtin 



64 LTFK OF MA.TOn-GENERAL MEADE. 

of Pennsylvania, and a number of gentlemen prominent 
in civil and military life, who were also present. General 
S. Wylie Crawford, the gallant eommander of the Re- 
serves, was designated as the most suitable person to 
present the well-deserved tribute, and ably fulfilled the 
pleasant duty in the following words : 

GENERAL CRAWFOKD'S PRESENTATIOIT 
SPEECH. 

" Gknrral : I stand before you to-day, sir, the reprepentative 
of the officers of tliat division who once called you its chief. 

"Impelled by a desire to perpetuate the memory of your con- 
nection with them ; desirous, too, to manifest to you the aflft'c- 
tion and esteem they bear to you. they ask the acceptance, to- 
day, of this testimonial, which shall mark it forever. Accept it, 
sir, from them, and here, in the presence of him who conceived 
the idea of this division — and who, I trust, a faithful people 
will return to the position he so worthily occupies — not as a 
reward, not as a recompense for your care for them, but as the 
exponent of those feelings of their hearts whose value cannot 
be expressed in words. Transmit it to those who bear your 
name, and let it ever express to you and them that devoted 
attachment and regard that tlie officers of the Pennsylvania 
Reserve corps shall never cease to feel for you." 

General Meade then stepped forward amid the moat 
vociferous cheering, and responded as follows : 

SPEECH OF MAJOR-GEITEHAL MEADE. 

" Ge.ne7-al Crmoford and Officers of the Division of the 
Pemisylvama Beserve Corps: 1 accept this sword with feelings 
of profound gratitude. I should be insensible to all the prompt- 
ings of nature if I were not grateful and proud at receiving a 
testimonial of approbation from a band of officers and men 
so distinguished as has been the division of the Pennsylvania 
Reserves corps during the whole period of this war. I have a 
right, therefore, to be proud that they should think my conduct 
and my course have been of such a character as to justify them 
in collecting together here so many distinfruished gentlemen as 
I see around me from different parts of the country, and our 
own State, to present to me this handsome testimonial. It in 
effect says to me that in their judgment I have done ray duty 
towards them and towards the country. [Applause. j I began 
my career in this army by commanding the Second brigade of 



LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEAIjE. 65 

your division. I faithfully endeavored during all tbo time 1 held 
that command, and also the command of your division, to treat 
the officers and men in a manner that would express to them my 
high appreciation of their conduct as soldiers and brave men. 

" I am very glad, sir, that yon have mentioned your dis- 
tinguished guest, the Governor of Pennsylvania. [Cheers.] I 
have a personal knowledge of his patriotic efforts in behalf of 
the soldiers. To him the country is indebted for putting into 
the field in its hour of sorest need this splendid corps, and I 
have watched with pleasure and satisfaction the solicitude he 
lias always shown to see that all its interests and wants are 
attended to. I have been with him on the occasions when he 
has visited the ofllcers and men from our State, and I know that 
Ihey are indebted to him for many comforts, and that the coun- 
try is indebted to him for words of eloquence which be addressed 
to them to inspire them with increased patriotism and courage. 
[Cheers.] I am gratified that he is here to witness this presen- 
tation, and I heartily join with you, sir, in the hope that his 
fellow-citizens will remember on election day his services in pro- 
moting the interests of the country and the suppression of the 
rebellion, [Long continued applause.] In speaking of the 
])ride whicli I experience in receiving this sword, I feel myself 
justified, even at the risk of being charged with egotism, in 
saying a few words about the services rendered by this division. 
I say unhesitatingly here before this assembly, and I am quite 
sure that when the history of the war is written that the facts 
will vindicate me, that no division in this glorious army of the 
Potomac — glorious as I conceive it to be — is entitled to claim 
more credit for its uniform gallant conduct and for the amount 
of hard fighting it has gone through than the division of the 
Pennsylvania Reserve corps. [Cheers,] I do not wish to take 
any credit to myself in this. It is not of my own personal 
services that I would speak, but of the services of the soldiers — ■ 
of the privates of the Pennsylvania Reserve corps, [cheers], 
and I have only to appeal to Drainesville, where the first success 
that crowned the arms of the Army of the Potomac was gained, 
unaided and alone, by a single brigade of the Pennsylvania 
Reserves. [Cheers.] I have only to refer to Mechanicsville, 
where began the six days' fighting on the Peninsula, and where 
the whole of Longstreet's corps was held in check for several 
hours, and victory really won, by only two brigades of the 
Reserves. [Cheers.] 1 refer you to New Market Cross roads, 
sometimes called Glendale, and refer emphatically to that 
battle because certain ofiicers of the army, not knowing the 
true facts of the case, and misled at the time by the statements 
of others equally ignorant with themselves, and whose state- 
ments have since been proved incorrect, brought charges 
against this division on that occasion. I was with the division 
during the whole fight, and until dark, when it pleased God that 
S 



6o ].IFE OF MAJOR.GEXEnAL ^[.EADE. 

1 should be shot dowu aud carried off the field. I have been 
told that the division ran oil", but I know tliat I stayed with it 
until it was dark, and my men were engaged in a hand-to-hand 
contest over the batteries wilh the enemy. [Cheers.] I do not 
say that there were not some who ran away, but that is nothing 
singular. There are cowards in every division ; there are bad 
men in every corps. I do say, however, that the large body of 
the pliant men of the Pennsylvania Reserves remained on the 
field until dark, and did not leave it until the enemy had retired. 
'IMiose guns were never captured from them. [Loud cheers. j 
They remained on the field, and were not taken until ten o'clock 
the next day.- I refer to South Mountain, and it i« not neces- 
sary for me to say much of their conduct there, for their galhmt 
ascent of the height in the face of the enemy and turning their 
left flank was witnessed by the commanding general, and they 
received full credit for it. [(Jheers.j .1 speak of Antietam, 
where, on the sixteenth of September, the Pennsylvania lie- 
serve corps, always in the advance, boldly attacked that portion 
of the Confederate army in its front without knowing its 
strength, and continued to drive it until dark, and then held the 
position it had gained until the morning, when the battle was 
renewed. [Cheers.] I sjKiak again of Fredericksburg, where 
the Pennsylvania Reserve corps crossed and led the advance, 
unaided and alone, up the heights, and held their position for 
half an hour while the others crossed. Had they been followed 
and supported by other troops, their courage that day would 
liave won a victory. [Cheers.] I repeat, therefore, that I have 
a right to be proud and grateful when the officers and men of 
such a command, who can with truth point to a hard-earned 
and dearly bought record of bright deeds, present me, who have 
had the honor of commanding them, with such a testimonial. 
[Applause.] While, however, I give expression to these feel- 
ings, they are not un mingled with others of a sad and mournful 
nature as I look around you and reflect that so many of the 
brave officers and soldiers who originally composed this division 
sleep their last shn^p, and that others have been obliged to 
return home crippled and maimed for life. It is terrible to 
think that there should be any necessity for so much misfortune 
and misery ! Sad, that in this country, a land flowing with 
uiilk and honey, and in which we are all brothers, we should 
raise our arms against each other, and such scenes should be 
enacted as I have been a participant in. It is sad that there 
should be an occasion like the present, and a necessity for the 
presentation of a testimonial such as this. These are sad, sad 
thoughts to me, but at tiie same time I am sustained in my 
present position by a consciousness that I am acting from a 
high and proper sense of my duty to my country. [Cheers.] 
It is impossible that this great country should l)e divided ; that 



LIFE OF ilAJOR-GEXERAL MEADE. 67 

such a thing is entirely out of the question. [Cheers.] I trust 
that every loyal man would be willing to sacrifice his life before 
he would consent to have more than one government and one 
flag wave over the whole territory of the United States. 
[Loud applause.] This reunion, gentlemen, awakens in my 
heart new sorrow for an officer which it vividly recalls to my 
mind, for he commanded the division when I commanded one 
of the brigades. He was the noblest as M-ell as the bravest 
gentleman in the army. I refer to John F. Reynolds. [Cheers.] 
1 cannot receive this sword without thinking of that officer. 
When he fell at Gettysburg, leading the advance, I lost not 
only a lieutenant of the utmost importance to me, but I may 
say that I lost a friend, aye, even a brother. [Cheers.] I miss 
other faces which were familiar to me in your midst — McNeil 
and Taylor, of the Rifles ; Simmons, of the Fifth ; young Kuhn, 
who came from Philadelphia to assist me in the field ; Dehone, 
of Massachusetts, and a host of others whose remains you all 
cherish. 

'• It is oppressive, gentlemen, to me to go over the list of these 
officers who have been sacrificed ; but if I could remember and 
name every soldier of your division that has fallen, what a long 
list and what a trying recital it would be to us all ! How many 
men who once belonged to the Pennsylvania Reserve corps now 
sleep in the grave, or are lingering on earth, joyfully expecting 
death to end their sufferings. 

"I thank you. General Crawford, for the kind manner in 
which you have conveyed to me this elegant testimonial, and I 
also thank these gentlemen who have come so far to be present. 
I trust, sir, this sword will be required but a short time longer. 
Affairs and events now look as if this unhappy war might be 
brought to a happy termination. I have to request of you gen- 
tlemen who are in civil life that, when you return home, you 
will spare no efforts to make the people understand that all we 
want are men to till up our ranks. Send these to us. Give us 
the numbers, and the war will soon be concluded. I think the 
rebels are now satisfied that their struggle is only a matter of time, 
as we have the force on our side, and that as soon as they see 
that we are bringing out that force in earnest they will yield. 
Permit me, before I close, to mention what I intended to refer to 
before this, but it escaped my memory. I intended to express 
my delight, sir, on hearing that at Gettysburg, under your com- 
mand, the Reserve corps enacted deeds worthy of their former 
reputation, showing that they had lost none of their daring, and 
could always be relied on in the hour and post of danger. I 
"expected that this would be the case, but it was particularly 
gratifying to me to hear it from your immediate commander on 
that occasion. ' 'J'hanking you for your gallantry there, and 
again thanking you for your kindness, I will conclude." 



68 LTFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 

REMARKS OP GOVEHNOR CUBTIl^, OF PENN- 
SYLVAETIA. 

Governor Curtin, in a few eloquent remarks, bore testi- 
mony to the worth and ability of the fearless commander 
of the Army of the Potomac. He said : 

" I am present on an occasion when it has been the pleasure 
of the officers of this cainp, acting- upon a plan long since sug- 
gested, to present a testimonial to their great and gallant leader, 
justly deserved by his conduct on the field, and a fit expression 
of the attachment of the officers and men of this corps to him, 
called, as he has been, to discharge duties of a higher and more 
enlarged character. 

'' To General Meade, allow me to say : The people of Penn- 
sylvania have not been insensible to your military^career. You 
won the confidence of this corps as a brigade commander. You 
confirmed and enlarg(>d that confidence as a commander of 
division. The battles before Richmond and gallant conduct in 
the battles in Maryland fully attest that ; and as a commander 
of corps you obtained the confidence, respect, and love of these 
gallant men by your conduct at Fredericksburg and the crown- 
ing glory of your military life at the great battle of Gettysburg. 
Recent events prove that this unnatural war, as the general has 
said, is drawing to a close. I congratulate you on the fact. 
'J'hat rebel army that had the temerity to come upon the sacred 
soil dedicated to freedom, to poison the air given by God to be 
breathed by freemen alone, was broken and scattered at Gettys- 
burg. And now, general, as the representative head of the 
government of your native State, I tender to you the profound 
gratitude and respect of your fellow-citizens." 

SUBSEQUENT MOVEMEK"TS OF THE COI^TEI^D- 
ING FORCES— THE FIGHT AT BRISTOS. 

But few movements of importance were made by the 
Army of the Potomac until the early part of October, 1863. 
On the ninth of that month, the contending forces occupied 
opposite banks of the Rapidan river, our line extending 
from Falmouth on the left to Robertson's and Hazel 
rivers, beyond Thoroughfare Mountain on the right, the 
centre being in front of Culpeper Court House, and on 
the same day it was discovered that the enemy had com- 
menced advancing northward. Having satisfied himself 
by cavalry reconnoissances that Lee was actually moving, 
the Arm}^ of the Potomac w^as withdrawn to the northern 



LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 69 

bank of the Kappahannock, but on the following morning, 
Monday the twelfth, General Meade, for the purpose of 
ascertaining the true extent of the rebel demonstration, 
sent the Second, Third and Sixth corps back across the 
river. The object of their mission was successfully ac- 
complished, and that night they returned to their encamp- 
ments. In the meantime Lee had advanced from Madison 
Court House to Sperryville, and on Monday night crossed 
the Hedgeman river. On Tuesday both armies were 
pushing forward on parallel lines, when General Lee, 
upon arriving at Warrenton, formed the bold design of 
sending a portion of his troops to seize the heights of 
Centreville, while the remainder fell upon qur flank and 
rear, and by a sudden and determined attack rout our 
army. But General Meade was too old a soldier to be 
thus entrapped, and by his superior strategy circumvented 
the plans of his opponent. 

On the fourteenth, the Second Corps under General 
Warren reached Bristoe Station, on the line of the Alex- 
andria and Orange Railroad, w^here they found Hill's 
corps drawn up in line of battle. The troops w^hich had 
advanced on the left of the railroad, were moved rapidly 
over to the right, and the cut and embankment which Hill 
had neglected to occupy, were taken possession of. Gen- 
eral Warren hastily formed his troops under cover of the 
cut and embankment, which constituted natural breast- 
works. The enemy made an impetuous charge upon his 
left flank, when the heroes rose from their cover, and at 
close range poured volley after volley into the ranks of 
the advancing foe. A short but severe engagement fol- 
lowed, resulting in the signal repulse of the rebels, who 
fled from the field, leaving their dead and wounded, sev- 
eral hundred prisoners, and seven guns. Ten men from 
each regiment engaged were detailed to bring in the pieces, 
and in the attempt they were attacked by the former own- 
ers, who succeeded in recovering two of the gu'ns. Other 



70 LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 

but less important engagements took place during the 
week, and after the destruction by Lee of several miles of 
railroad, that General, convinced of the impossibility of 
outwitting the Union Commander, commenced a retro- 
grade movement, and returned across the Pvappahannock, 
closely pursued by the Army of the Potomac. The rebels 
continuing their retreat until the llapidan had been passed, 
further pursuit was necessarily suspended. During this 
brief campaign. General Meade endeavored repeatedly to 
bring on a general engagement, but Lee did not desire 
such a conflict and carefully avoided it. 

BRILLIAI^T ENGAGEMENTS ON THE RAPPA- 
HANNOCK. 

During the interval which elapsed between the fight at 
Bristoe Station and the seventh of November, several im- 
portant cavalry reconnoissances were made, but on that 
day two severe and brilliant engagements took place on the 
Rappahannock. The rebels had intrenched themselves on 
the Southern bank of that stream, and deeming themselves 
secure from interference, had commenced the construction 
of huts with the expectation of remaining in their position 
during the winter months. To their surprise, however, 
on the morning of the seventh, a movement of the army 
was n\p,de under the personal superintendence of General 
Meade. Moving in two columns, the right, comprising the 
Fifth and Sixth Corps, under the command of General 
Sedgwick, advanced towards Rappahannock Station, and 
the left, comprising the First, Second and Third Corps, 
under command of General French, to Kelly's Ford. At 
an early hour of the afternoon. General Sedgwick arrived 
before the enemy's works at Rappahannock, and driving 
the skirmishers before them, occupied a crest less than a 
mile distant, and posted his guns. An artillery fire soon 
commenced, and during its progress a storming party con- 
sisting of four regiments of General Russell's Brigade and 



LIFE OF MAJOPw-GENERAL MEADE. 71 

two of Colonel Upton's Brigade, was organized, and with 
a cheer which appalled the enemy, made a determined 
assault upon the forts and rifle-pits. To reach the works 
a half-mile of open plain had to be traversed, and deep 
ditches to be crossed, but r^ardless of the mark they 
presented to the enemy while dashing over the one, and 
of the difficulties offered in crossing the other, they moved 
steadily forward Avithout expending a single shot upon 
their assailants. At a doublc-([uick advanced this gallant 
band, and not until the ramparts had been reached, was a 
single musket discharged. A desperate hand-to-hand 
struggle for mastery continued for twenty minutes, re- 
sulting in victory to our troops, and the surrender of the 
enemy. Four guns and about two thousand stand of arms 
were captured, and about sixteen hundred of their officers 
and men taken prisoners. The column which had moved 
on Kelly's Ford, after a brief but warm engagement, were 
also successful, the ri'fle-pits being captured and a large 
number of their defenders having thrown down their arms 
and surrendered. On the following morning it was dis- 
covered that the rebels had evacuated their positions 
during the night, and pursuit was immediately ordered 
and continued to Brandy Station, a short distance this 
side of Culpeper Court-House. 

GENERAL MEADE'S CONGRATULATORY 
ORDER. 

General Meade subsequently issued the followmg con- 
gratulatory order : 

" Head-quarters, Army of Potomac, 

''November 9th, 1803. 
" The cormyianding general congratulates the army upon the 
recent successful passage of the Rappahannock in the face of 
the enemy, compelling him to withdraw to his intrenchments 
behind the Rapidan. To Major-General Sedgwick and the 
officers and men of the Sixth and Fifth corps participating m 
the attack, particularly the storming party under Brigadier- 



72 LIFE OP MAJOR-GENKRAL MEADE. 

General Russell, his thanks are due for the gallantry displayed 
in the assault on the enemy's intrenched position of Rappahan- 
nock Station, resulting in the capture of four guj)s, two thousand 
small arms, eight battle-flags, one bridge train, and sixteen 
hundred prisoners. To Major-General French and the officers 
and men of the corps that were engaged, particularly to the 
leading column, commanded by Colonel I). E, Froboy, his thanks 
are due for the gallantry displayed in the crossing at Kelly's 
Ford, and seizure of the enemy's intrenchments, and the capture 
of over four hundred prisoners. The commanding general takes 
great pleasure in announcing to the army that the President 
has expressed his satisfaction with its recent operations. 

" By command of " Georgk G. Meadk, 

" Major-General. 

" {Signed) " S. Williams, ^1. A. G." 



HIS ADDRESS TO THE SIXTH CORPS. 

On the afternoon of the tenth, Colonel Upton, who com- 
manded a portion of the troops who had so successfully 
charged and captured the enemy's works at Rappahannock 
Station, presented General Meade with the eight battle- 
flags taken at that time. Colonel Upton presented the 
flags in the name of the command, when General Meade 
responded as follows : 

" Colonel Upton, officers and men of the Sixth corps : — I 
receive, with great satisfaction, the battle-flags as evidences of 
the good conduct and gallantry you displayed on the seventh 
instant. The assault on the enemy's position at Rappahannock 
Station, intrenched by redoubts and rifle-pits, and defended by 
artillery and infantry, carried, as it was, at the point of the 
bayonet, was a work which could only have been executed by 
the best of soldiers, and in the result of which you may be justly 
proud. ^ It gives me great confidence that, in future oi)erations, 
I can implicitly rely on the men under my command doing all 
that men can do ; and, although it is my desire to place you in 
such positions as to avoid the possible recurrence of such con- 
tents, yet there are occasions, such as the recent ones, when it 
is the only and the best course to pursue. And to feel, as I do 
now, that I command men able and willing to meet and over- 
come such obstacles, is a source of great satisfaction. I shall 
transmit these flags to the War Department. I have already 
reported your good conduct, and received and transmitted to 
your commanders the approval of the President. I shall pre- 
pare (as soon as I receive the requisite information) a general 
order, in which it is my desire to do justice to all the troops who 



LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. <o 

have distinguished themselves; and it is my purpose, by every 
means in my power, to have those soldiers rewarded who have 
merited such distinction. Soldiers, in the name of the army 
and the country I thank you for the services you have rendered, 
particularly for the example you have set, which I doubt not, on 
future occasions, will be followed and emulated." 



LOCUST GROVE AND MIlSrE RUN— GETTEEAL 
MEADE'S RESPONSIBLE POSITION. 

Oil the morning of the twenty-sixth of November, 18G3, 
General Meade'again placed his army in motion, with the 
design of attacking the enemy and forcing him to evacuate 
his line of defence, with the expectation of severing his 
forces and beating them in detail. The plan was well- 
devised, but was frustrated by untoward fortune. The 
enemy had unfortunately become early informed of the 
movement, and had prepared themselves for the contest. 
On the twenty-seventh was fought the battle of Locust 
Grove, resulting in the success of our troops and the re- 
treat of the enemy, with heavy loss. On the twenty- 
eighth they were pursued towards their defences on the 
west bank of Mine Run, a small tributary of the Rapidan. 
During thatnight the rebels worked industriously, strength- 
ening their intrenchraents. The position was indeed one 
of rare strength, the line being formed on a series of ridges 
with enfilading positions for batteries, while in front 
stretched an extensive marsh. General Warren carefully 
reconnoitered the enemy's right, and reported the practi- 
cability of success, but on examining carefully. General 
Meade concluded he could not carry it without a fearful 
sacrifice of life. On the morning of Monday, the thirtieth, 
our artillery opened upon the w^orks, but after an hour or 
two of constant firing, the bombardment ceased. A retro- 
grade movement was decided upon, and by the third of 
December the army was again back in its old position near 
Brandy Station. The propriety of the advance and the 
necessity of the return were duly discussed by the military 



7-i LIFE OF MAJOR-GEXERAL MEADE. 

critics, but the vast majority of the people of the country 
experienced renewed confidence in the commander who 
had had sufficient moral courage to relinquish a movement, 
and retire from a conflict, in preference to heeding the 
popular clamor for an advance. General Meade knew the 
great responsibility which rested upon him. Success, 
even if his efforts were s-o rewarded, could but have been 
secured at an immense sacrifice, and with but slight ulti- 
mate advantage to the army or the caAise. Upon the 
other hand, defeat would have been most disastrous, af- 
fording Lee facilities for the accomplishment of the darling 
project of the Southern people, the capture of the Capital 
of the Union, which neither the conquered army of Meade, 
nor the freemen of the North, who might have hastened 
to the rescue, could have prevented. The occupation of 
Washington would have been but temporary, but the dis- 
grace resulting from such possession would have been 
most humiliating. Just previous to the movement. Gen- 
eral Meade, in a letter to a friend, thus referred to his 
plans : 

" I am fully aware of the great anxiety in the public mind 
that something should be done. I am in receipt of many letters, 
some from persons in high position, telling me I had better have 
my army destroyed and the country filled up with the bodies of 
the soldiers than remain inactive. Whilst I do not suffer 
myself to be influenced by such communications, I am and have 
been most anxious to effect something, but am determined, at 
every hazard, not to attempt any thing unless my judgment 
indicates a probability of accomplishing some object commen- 
surate with the destruction of life necessarily involved. I would 
rather, a thousand times, be relieved, charged with tardiness or 
incompetency, than have my conscience burdened with a wanton 
slaughter, uselessly, of brave men, or with having jeopardized 
the great cau^e by doing what I thought wrong." 

GENERAL MEADE IN PHILADELPHIA — AD- 
DRESSES THE CONVALESCENT SOLDIERS 

AND THE UNION LEAGUE. 

Early in January, 18G4, General Meade visited Phila- 
delphia on a brief leave of absence, but when about to re- 



LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 7o 

turn, was suddenly taken with an attack of illness brought 
on by continued exposure, which, increasing in severity, 
confined him for some time to his bed. On the thirteenth 
of the same month, and before he had regained his health, 
he was honored with a complimentary serenade, tendered 
him by a number of soldiers, convalescent inmates of one 
of the Army sanitary institutions of Philadelphia. After 
the Band had ceased playing a national air, General Meade 
came forward and made the following address : 

" Felloiu Soldiers: — Those of you belonging to the Army of 
the Potomac who are from the field of Gettysburg, as many of 
you doubtless are, need no light to recognize my voice and my 
features. I am delighted to see you here, and glad to see that 
you have so far recovered from your wounds that you are able 
to march out on this inclement night. And I am gratified that 
the soldiers of my old command should visit me and extend me 
such a welcome. We are anxious for your entire and speedy 
recovery. I have just left the army, where I must soon return. 
There all your old comrades are re-enlisting, anxious to remain 
in the army until they bring this unnatural and unholy war to a 
termination : a termination which shall be satisfactory to us ; a 
termination which will be worthy of the old flag, and an honor 
to the government. And this must be the re-establishment of 
the old Union in its former glory, and the acknowledgment of 
the Constitution from one end of this continent to the other. 
I am glad to see that you are all so well, and able to leave your 
quarters to-night. I hope to find you soon in the ranks, where 
1 am obliged to return. We are making every effort to improve 
the present, and, as soon as the weather moderates, and the 
season will allow, active operations will be commenced anew, 
and in earnest. We want you all to be there. We want you 
all to return, and to bring all you can with you ; and may you 
all live to see what we ail want to see, this struggle brought to 
a speedy and a glorious end. It is a question of numbers and 
of time. You all know that,* if we but bring the men to the work, 
it will be ended speedily. I have nothing further to say, except 
that I return you my thanks for the welcome you have this 
night extended me." 

A SECOND SERENADE. 

The Union League assembled at their rooms later in the 
evening, and, preceded by a band, marched to the house 
where the General was stopping. The whole street was 
closed with the people who accompanied the League; 



76 LIFE OF MAJOE-GEXERAL MEADE. 

and, in response 'to repeated calls, the General appeared 
and made the following remarks : 

" I am much obliged to you, my friends, for your compliment in 
giving three cheers for (lettysburg. I am here but for a very few 
days, and have only visited my home to see my wife and children, 
and I am happy to hear you remember Gettysburg and its deeds 
of heroic daring. I speak to Philadelphians ; I have always felt 
it to be a matter of pride that I am a Philadelphian. Every 
thing that I do in the discharge of my duties is increased and 
nerved with new strength when I think that I am a Philadel- 
phian, and that my fcllovz-citizens of Philadelphia will be glad 
to hear, when I come back among them, that I have done my duty. 
As I said when 1 took command of the Army of the Potomac, 
I say to you now. I have no pledges to make. When I return 
to my army, all I can say is that we will do the best we can to 
suppress the rebellion and to overthrow all those who are in arms 
against our common country ; and we will do the best we can 
to have our flag respected, and to have it wave over every foot 
of ground from the Canadas td the Rio Grande, and the golden 
sands of the Pacific. The banner of the stars and bars we will 
number among the things of the past, and the rebellion, with 
all its associations, will be remembered as things that have 
existed, but have no longer any being. AVhat we need is men. 
I want you here, all of you, every man of you, however small 
may be his influence, to use that influence to send recruits to 
the army. The more we get the better will it be for that army, 
and the quicker will the war be ended. The war must be ended 
by hard fighting, and it becomes every man, woman, and child 
to work for the increase of our armies in the field ; and, when 
that is done, I trust that next summer will i^ome to us with 
peace restored to the land, and happiness, contentment, and 
prosperity pervading the entire country." 

GENEHAL MEADE ATv'D THE PHILADELPHIA 
COUTTCILS. 

Two days later, the Councils of the City of Philadelphia 
adopted the following resolution : 

" Appreciating the patriotism and military skill of Major- 
General Meade, and the brilliant victory obtained over the rebel 
army at Gettysburg, by the glorious Army of the Potomac, 
under his command, it is the desire of the Councils to give the 
citizens of Philadelphia an opportunity to testify to him their 
grateful sense of the importance of the victory of Gettysburg, 
by a personal interview with him. It is therefore 

" Resolved, That Councils, through the Presidents of their 
respective chambers, invite General Meade to meet the Councils 



LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 77 

and the citizens of Philadelphia in Independence Hall, at such 
time as may be convenient to him, and that the Mayor of the 
city be requested to welcome him to the city of Philadelphia." 

Another resolution was also adopted, appropriating one 
thousand dollars for the purchase of a sword, to be pre- 
sented to General Meade. 

HE IS THAITKED BY CONGRESS. 

Subsequently^, a joint resolution was passed by^ Congress, 
expressing the gratitude of the American people, and 
tendering the thanks of their representatives in Congress 
to General Meade, for his skill and heroic valor as dis- 
play^ed at Gettysburg. 

HIS PUBLIC BECEPTIOIST IN PHILADELPHIA- 
ENTHUSIASTIC DEMONSTSATION. 

On the ninth of February, 1864, the hero of Gettysburg 
having recovered sufficiently to allow him to conform 
to the unanimous wish of his fellow-citizens, and thus 
give them an opportunity to manifest their esteem and 
regard for him as a man, and their confidence in him as 
a military leader, he received a most gratifying and enthu- 
siastic reception. Upon his arrival at Independence Hall, 
he was greeted with the most vociferous cheering by the 
assembled multitude. In the Hall were assembled the 
members of the Councils and other officials, civil and 
military, and after being introduced to the May^or, he was 
welcomed by that officer in the following chaste address : 

MAYOR HENRY'S SPEECH. 

"General: Your visit to the City, although alone intended 
for the endearments of home, has afforded to your fellow-citizens 
an opportunity for the public recoj^nitiou of your signal services, 
and for expression of the grateful esteem in which you are justly 
held. For this purpose the Councils of Philadelphia have in- 
vited you to the Hall of Independence, and in their name I bid 
you the welcome that is due to every champion in our country's 
cause, but to none so fitly as the successful defender of the State 
within which this venerated edifice is reared. Such civic testi- 
monial of respect can but inadequately evince the gratitude of 
this community towards the able leader and the intrepid soldiers 
of the Army of the Potomac — that Army before whose con- 



78 LIFE OF MAJOri-GEXERAL MEADE. 

ceded prowess the foe quailed with instinctive dread as they 
confronted its firm ranks upon the glorious heights of Gettys- 
burg. Twice in our country's annals has the Fourth day of 
July been of special note. The presence in which you stand, 
and the memorials which surround you, tell of the earlier day 
when the inspiration of patriots gave forth from this Hall that 
grand creed for all humanity, whose truths, passing the compre- 
hension of their teachers, are at length, after three generations 
of uubelief,"{inding acceptance through the baptism of blood as 
the vital, essential tenets for our national perpetuity. 

"To the memorable hours of the later anniversary, the grati- 
tude of those who now greet you can bear ready witness. The 
remembrance is still fresh of that joy which filled every loyal 
heart, and beamed from every loyal eye, a joy almost too great 
i'or belief or utterance, when the morning of that day brought 
the glad certainty that the rebel invaders had been overthrown, 
and that their broken columns were fleeing in dismay from the 
soil which had been polluted by their tread. Memory can yet 
vividly recall the fervent thanks which ascended to the Giver 
of all victory, and the rich benisons that were invoked from His 
hand upon the brave defenders of our State. No untoward 
fortunes or ungrateful devices can rob you of the proud distinc- 
tion that was then acquired, or can cancel the enduring obliga- 
tions of our country to the gallant army that under your leader- 
ship gained new renown in tlie hard-won conflicts of Gettysburg. 

" In returning to the arduous duties of your high command, 
bear with you the assurance of the hearty confidence of y0ur 
fellow-citizens of Philadelphia, and of the special interest with 
which they must ever view each success you shall achieve in ad- 
vancing your country's flag. Carry also with you the self-evi- 
dent truth that not one sinew of this people has been weakened 
or over-strained in their gigantic efforts to maintain their just 
cause. After three years of incessant warfare, there is to-day 
no less determination to preserve this Union ; no less ability to 
effect that purpose, and no less faith in its sure result, than 
when rebellion first bid defiance to the Federal power. 

"Again, General, 1 ofl'er the cordial congratulations of your 
fellow-citizens, and their earnest wishes for your undimmed 
prosperity and honors." 

REPLY OP GENERAL MEADS. 
General Meade then, in a modest, iinas.suming manner. 
sincerely thanked the Mayor, members of Councils and citi- 
zens of Philadelphia for the distinguished honor conferred 
upon him. He hardly knew how to give utterance to his 
feelings for the ovation extended. When lie came to Phila- 
deli)hia to visit his family, lie liad no tliought that he 



LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL MEAI»E. 79 

would be railed upon to witness such a demonstration. 
He thanked the citizens, through their representatives, for 
this reception. Sometimes he thinks that too much im- 
portance is attached to his humble efforts in behalf of the 
Union. To his officers, brigade commanders, regimental 
commanders, and company commanders, but more par- 
ticularly to the heroic bearing of the private soldiers, the 
great success of the army is due. If he had not the sup- 
port of his soldiers, not all the military skill in the WT)rld 
could succeed, lla desired that the credit should be given 
to his army. After the i>attle of (Gettysburg, he fully appre- 
ciated the services of that arnijiwhich is sometimes called 
unfortunate. When the record of that army becomes fully 
known, it will appear that that army is one of the most 
gallant and determined that the world ever saw. As a 
statistical fact, he would state that since March, 1861, not 
less than one hundred thousand men had been killed and 
wounded. He thought that record would show what that 
army has done. When the season for operations com- 
mences, it will be his duty to again lead that army to the 
field, and he wMU feel greatly inspired w^hen he knows that 
his efforts are appreciated. The General concluded his 
remarks by again returning thanks for the reception. 

The members of Councils were then severally intro- 
duced to the General by the respective Presidents of the 
two branches, and the doors being thrown open, an im- 
luense throng pressed forward. For an hour he was en- 
gaged in shaking hands with his patriotic fellow-citizens, 
when the crowd increasing rather than diminishing, it was 
deemed advisable to dispense with the hand-shaking, and 
tlie General subsequently returned the attention of his admi- 
rers by bowing to them, as they saluted him as they passed. 

IS APPOINTED BRIGADIER-GENERAL IN THE 
REGULAR ARMY. 

General Meade almost immodiatelv afterwards returned 



80 LIFE OF MAJOR GENERAL MEADE. 

to his head-quarters in the field, and on the twenty-ninth 
of February, 1SG4, was confirmed by the Senate as 
Brigadier-General in the Regular army, his commission 
to date from July 3d, 1863. 

General Meade is but one of a large family, the mem- 
bers of which are identified with the Union service. His 
eldest son, George, is connected with his staff, with the 
rank of Captain; his brother-in-law, Colonel Ilartman 
]3ache, is a distinguished officer of the Engineers; another 
brother-in-law, William Sergeant, and a nephew, A. J. 
Dallas, are Captains in the Twelfth Regular Infantry; his 
brother, Richard W. Meade, is a Captain in the Navy; 
two sons of this brotlier are also in the Navy, and a third 
in the ;Marine Corps, a gallant relative who was captured 
by the enemy in the celebrated night attack upon Fort 
Sumter, and is now a prisoner in Columbia, South Caro- 
lina; and another nephew, a son of Colonel Hartman 
Bache, is a member of his staff. 

General Meade was married on the last day of Decem- 
ber, 1840, to a daughter of the Hon. John Sergeant, of 
Philadelphia, and has four sons and three daughters. 

Few officers are more devoted to their country than the 
subject of our sketch, and few have evinced that devotion 
in a more satisfactory and honorable manner. His pro- 
motion has been rapid, but at the same time sufficiently 
delayed to enable him to become acquainted with his 
troops, and to train them for the future accomplishment 
of deeds of valor which have been unsurpassed in their 
brilliancy. The soldiers adore him, the country has con- 
fidence in him, and the enemy fear him. What better 
promise of success could we have than with such a com- 
mander ? 

THE END. 



NEW EDITION, ENLARGED AND REVISED. 



General George B. McClellaii's Life and Services. 



TfiE LIFE, CAMPAISNS, AND SERVICES 



OF 



GENERAL McCLELLAN. 




THE HERO OF WESTERN VIRGINIA! SOUTH 
MOUNTAIN! AND ANTIETAM! 



With a full history of his Campaigns, and Battles, and his Reports and 

Correspondence with the War Department and the Pres l^^nt 

in relation to them, from the time he first took the field 

in this war, until he was finally relieved from 

command after the Battle of Antietam. 



P I) U a ^ 1 1 p !) i a-: 

T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS, 306 CHESTNUT STREET. 



NEW EDITION, ENLARGED AND REVISED. 






O 
O 

I— ( 



General Grant's Life and Public Services. 



THE LIFE AND SERVICES AS A SOLDIER 

OP 

MAJOR-GENERAL URAlSfT, 




HERO OF FORT DONELSON! VICKSBURG! 
AND CHATTANOOGA! 

Commander of the Military Division of the Mississippi ; and Captor 
of 472 Camion and over 90,000 Kebel Prisoners. 

|3l)il(t^cl|3l)ta: 

T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS, 306 CHESTNUT STREET. 



PRICE 25 CENTS. 



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